MARGIBI COUNTY, LIBERIA-President Joseph Boakai has challenged graduates of the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) to serve as good ambassadors to attract more people into the Country’s Maritime Sector.

President Boakai said:” Discipline and hard work are good attributes to achieving greater heights.”

Speaking at LMTI’s third graduation ceremony in Marshall, Margibi County, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, the President described the Maritime Sector as critical to boosting the Country’s economy.

The Liberian Leader also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to developing young people through marketable skills for self-reliance.

President Boakai also believes that the promotion of career opportunities for young people is vital to building an enlightened society.

For his part, the Maritime Commission, Neto Leigh, disclosed plans to upgrade the Maritime Training Institute to a full-fledged University.

Commissioner Leigh said:” As a University, the LMTI will offer all maritime disciplines at Bachelor and Master Degrees levels, and increase enrollment at the entity to ensure more Liberians obtain professional maritime skills.”

Commissioner Leigh then urged the graduates to cultivate a culture of discipline, innovation, and commitment to duties but warned against what he called “ship-jumping”, because such practice reflects a bad repetition of the Liberian flag.

Meanwhile, the LMTI is expected to shortly launch its Maritime Engineer Officer Program.

The six-month maritime training course will be the first of its kind in Liberia.

The General Manager of the institute, Tal Hendler, said the program will further strengthen and equip Marine Officers with the requisite knowledge and skills, noting that the course is essential to making the Maritime Sector more viable and efficient.

By: Frederick Teegwiah, Jr./Joseph Sayon