In an appeal for educational advancement, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has emphasized the need for the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) to integrate additional programs that align with contemporary realities, thereby enhancing the institution’s value and efficacy.
The call was made during the 3rd graduation ceremony of the LMTI, a momentous event that underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing Liberia’s maritime sector and empowering its youth.
“Today marks a significant occasion not only for you, as you register yet another valuable milestone in your life. Today’s events also stand as a testament to our resolve to instill professionalism and decency in our governance system,” President Boakai declared, addressing the graduates and attendees.
“Our gathering here today demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the empowerment and development of the young people of our country.”
President Boakai underscored that providing career opportunities for young Liberians is a central tenet of his administration’s strategy, as it ensures the nation’s continued progress and stability. He highlighted the LMTI as a crucial component of the ARREST Agenda’s education pillar, which focuses on equipping the youth with specialized and technical skills necessary for both the local economy and the global job market.
“In recent times, Liberia has made several notable strides in the global maritime space,” the President noted, referencing Liberia’s election as a Category A Member of the International Maritime Organization Council and the excellence of the Liberian Ship Registry.
Domestically, he pointed to Liberia’s four seaports, extensive coastline, rich fisheries sector, and reliance on seaborne transport as critical elements of the nation’s maritime potential. To maximize this potential, President Boakai called for the LMTI to expand its facilities and program offerings. He stressed the need for the institute to provide certificates of competence and other officer courses to cadets, which necessitates the construction of additional dormitories, lecture halls, and specialized training facilities.
“In the next decades, we must have Liberian captains and chief engineers, something befitting of our status as a leader in the global maritime space,” he said, urging the LMTI Board to review and implement an expansion and growth plan promptly.
Since its reorganization, the LMTI has seen all its previous graduates secure employment both at sea and with shore-based organizations, including the National Port Authority and APM Terminals. This milestone reflects the institute’s success in fostering a competent maritime workforce.To the graduates, President Boakai offered heartfelt congratulations and a challenge.
“You are graduates who are going to be amongst those shining stars that help the name of Liberia illuminate so brightly in the comity of nations. By pursuing studies at this prestigious Institution, you are genuinely placing yourselves on an enviable track of human resource development,” he asserted.
The President also acknowledged the crucial role of parents in supporting their children’s education, recognizing the sacrifices involved. He encouraged graduates to embrace the challenges ahead with resilience and purpose, emphasizing that their education at LMTI has equipped them to make significant contributions to Liberia’s maritime sector and national development.
The Liberian Leader at the same time extended gratitude to all partners, including the Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), for their support in transforming the LMTI.
He announced that the institute is enrolling a new cohort of cadets for a two-year Associate Degree in Marine Engineering, a program aligned with international standards set by the International Maritime Organization. “With our collective and continued support, Liberia is starting its first Certificate of Competence (Class 3) courses in June of this year,” he revealed.
“This initiative will lead to increased employment, boost the country’s GDP, and contribute to overall economic growth, ensuring Liberia’s prominent presence in the global maritime industry.”
President Boakai however affirmed his government’s commitment to break away from the status quo, with a focus on long-term benefits for future generations rather than short-term electoral gains.
