By Augustine Octavius
The Deputy Managing Director for Administration at the National Port Authority (NPA) has said the primary objective of her office is to train young people that will replace the aging workforce at the entity.
Cecelia Cuffy-Brown, who is currently the acting Chief Executive Officer at the NPA, said she will soon be writing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically to seek audience with foreign missions for assistance to get scholarships in the marine sector.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with this Reporter at her office in Monrovia over the weekend, Mrs. Cuffy-Brown added that most of the professionals in the marine sector have aged and there is an urgent need to train young people to fill the gaps that are being created.
She explained that some retired employees were recalled due to the lack of trained manpower to fill their positions when they were told to end their stay at the port.
Cuffy-Brown maintained that she will also consult the board of directors of the NPA in order to focus on training of young people if the entity is to be manned by professionals all the times.
She said her administration will encourage young people to take advantage of the training opportunities that will be provided through scholarships from international partners.
The NPA Deputy Managing Director also disclosed that she will be seeking approval from President George Manneh Weah for young people to enroll in technical training institutions, in order to be employed in the entity.