Prioritize Safety/Security issues as well Seafarers Welfare/Training

As Transport Minister, Maritime Chief Executives call for greater collaboration

As the world mark this year’s World Maritime day, the Nigerian Government has renewed its commitment to the development of it maritime industry with greater focus on Safety and Security concerns and ensuring that Seafarers enjoy improved welfare packages and enhanced training.

Rotimi-Amaechi, Transport Minister

The Minister of Transportation, Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, while addressing maritime stakeholders at the World Maritime celebration in Lagos, Nigeria, disclosed that the ministry will continue to pursue policies and programmes that will make the maritime industry attractive to local and foreign investors.

This year’s World Maritime Day celebration has as theme “Seafarers: at the Core of Shipping’s Future” The minister said the theme reflects a clear need to raise awareness on seafarers’ vital role in world trade and increase their visibility by drawing attention to the invaluable role they play now and will continue to play in the future.

Nigerian Cadets

In his words “In view of the emerging realities, more attention should be given to seafarers’ specialized trainings for them to be capable of performing expert tasks in their various fields of engagement on board vessels”.

“Seafaring is a noble profession but the role of these essential workers to national and global interest is often neglected. It is indeed an iconic decision to celebrate Seafarers at a time when these men and women stand out as the last line of defense for global survival.

“Shipping and seafarers keep global commerce and trade running with over 50,000 merchant ships trading internationally and transporting every kind of cargo. The shipping industry is the most efficient mode of transportation and is responsible for over 90 percent of everything we see around us including manufactured items or bulk transport of raw material.

“The International Maritime Organization’s decision to celebrate the seafarer this year will further highlight the unprecedented hardship they are confronted with due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Travel restrictions and total lockdown in some cases meant that hundreds of seafarers remain at sea for extended periods without access to family and essential needs. As a Maritime nation, shipping is strategic in our national planning in terms of national security, job creation and socio-economic stability.” Amaechi said

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA,   Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stated that the Agency is committed to zero tolerance for insecurity in the country’s waters than ever before; He disclosed that NIMASA was engaged in continuous collaboration with critical stakeholders in the pursuit of its mandates.

According to Dr. Jamoh, “We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic had placed extraordinary demands on seafarers,  During the lockdowns occasioned by the pandemic across the globe, seafarers remained in service, delivering critical supplies to feed and heal a sick and despairing world. In my view seafarers will continue to remain at the Core of Shipping from past to present to future in line with this year’s theme of World Maritime Day,”

Speaking in the same vein, Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko aligned with the Minister’s position and agreed the NIMASA Director General on the need to pay greater attention to seafarers.

Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko Ag. Managing Director, NPA

“The fact that today has been marked as a day to celebrate seafarers shows that we are moving forward and really interested in the welfare and improved service conditions of the seafarers. Over the years, the theme has been based on other multiple issues, but this year is for seafarers. It is important to understand that 90 percent of the movement of goods and services across the world is done through the sea”.

“That means seafarers are playing a key role in the economic development of the world, and that is why the minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi and other stakeholders felt that this year’s theme should be related to seafarers. They are a fulcrum and an integral part of the maritime industry.

“The issues have been identified, most of which is to do with their welfare, whether in terms of their allowances, insurance and other things. I think it will be looked at and properly diagnosed, and then solution proffered. Everyone has a role to play, whether it is NIMASA, NPA, other agencies, or shipping companies that employ seafarers; and that is the intent of today, to ensure that there is a harmonized action plan that will ensure that the seafarers’ welfare is properly taken care of”. Koko said.

In his presentation, Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Commodore Duja Effedua Emmanuel, informed that Equatorial Guinea, a Central African country has written to request training for Guinean Cadets by the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.

Apart from Equatorial Guinea, the Rector told maritime stakeholders that several institutions and Oil and Gas companies have also requested for training for their staff by the Academy.

In his words “I am happy to inform you that Equatorial Guinea has written to us requesting to train their Cadets at MAN”

Rotimi Amaechi, Transport Minister

“We have also received several applications from very credible institutions requesting training for their technical personnel and staff  because we have the most modern Simulators and other training equipment that no other Maritime Academy within the West African sub Region has”

Effedua emphasized that training equipment available at the Academy are top notch and not generic.

“With the training equipment that we have at the Academy, anyone going outside Nigeria for any kind of Maritime Training is just wasting his/her time because it is absolutely unnecessary” Effedua said.

With this renewed commitment by the government and officials managing Nigeria’s maritime dormain, hopes are high that better days are ahead for investors and operators in the sector.