The Chattered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has inaugurated its executive members of the Calabar branch to pilot the affairs of the institute.
The executive members were inaugurated in Calabar by Dr Peter Borlo, Vice President, East, of the institute, after an online voting process by members of the institute.
The Vice President inaugurated Dr Chijioke Ukadike as the pioneer Chairman of the Calabar branch, while Dr Patrick Ekhameye and Dr Uche Ohaebuchi were inaugurated as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.
Speaking, Borlo said that the institute was founded in 1919 in the United Kingdom, adding that the institute was established in Nigeria in 1958.
He noted that the backbone of any country’s economy was the logistics and transport sector, hence the need for government at all levels to collaborate with the institute for sustainable gains.
“CILT is the only body that has the content to direct and contribute towards the regulation that builds marine transport services,” he said.
Also speaking, the Port Manager, Calabar Port, Mr Festus Olumati, told the new executives and members of the institute that the Calabar Port was still effective and operational.
Commissioner for Transport in Cross River, Mr Edet Oqua, told the inaugurated executive that the state government was open to do business with the institute.
Responding, the pioneer Chairman, Ukadike, expressed satisfaction with the electoral process that produced him as the pioneer Chairman of the institute in Cross River.
Ukadike, who is the Head, Corporate and Strategic Communication Department, Nigeria Port Authority, Calabar, has amassed nearly three decades of working experience in the Nigeria transport sector.
Ukadike, who is also a Chattered Fellow of CILT, gave assurance that the institute under his leadership would promote marine and transport services in the state.
“Cross River has what it takes to become a super Marine hub and the Calabar Port is sitting at the corridors of the Gulf of Guinea.
“We can capture the food market, marine and logistics services from Calabar because the port is strategically position for such services,” he said.
He noted that with an advanced certificate in CILT, an individual can work anywhere in the world in the marine and transport sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the inauguration, the secretariat of the institute in the state, located along Calabar highway, was also commissioned. (NAN)