Offers more incentives and funds to cadets

The nimasa DG with Nigerian Cadets

Global reports indicate that after more than two years of uncertainty caused by COVID-19, seafarers are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. While it’s still not clear if we are post-pandemic or simply experiencing a COVID lull, restrictions have now eased across the globe.

Seafarers are able to move more freely and have more certainty about whether they can go ashore and when they will next be able to go home. This freedom of movement has had a hugely beneficial effect on seafarer happiness and as vaccination levels also rise among crews, there is a sense of stability among seafarers in the global shipping industry.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, disclosed that the country is currently reviewing the cost of direct sponsorship of Nigerian cadets undergoing foreign training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

The Director General of NIMASA Dr Bashir Jamoh said the review has become necessary due to the global inflationary trends which is very pronounced in the Philippines, India and some other countries where Nigerian cadets are undergoing Certificate of Competency (CoC) Examination training under the NSDP programme. The sponsorship covers training leading to obtaining a Certificate of Competency, CoC.

According to Dr. Jamoh “We are not unmindful of the unforeseen global inflationary trend which has affected the cost of sustaining our cadets who are on sponsorship in some schools under the NSDP programme. Though NIMASA paid the tuition fee, examination fee and the original cost of feeding and accommodation in full, with allowance for extra funds as pocket money, however, it’s obvious that cost of living has increased particularly in the Philippines due to the global inflation. The Agency is working closely with the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines to address the challenges associated with the unexpected price increases”.

“We have put in place immediate and long term arrangements to minimize the effect of inflation on their living standard during the programme. The Management of the Agency has approved an additional $2,000 dollars for each cadet, as extra fund due to inflation. This is a short term measure to cushion the effect. I am sure the Nigerian Embassy will get in touch with the students immediately the funds are ready to be disbursed. It is a well coordinated arrangement through the embassy”.

“While working closely with the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines to establish appropriate extra funds that may be required, NIMASA Management is deploying a team on fact finding to interact with the students currently in the Philippines, officials of the Nigerian Embassy, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippines, some Licensure Examination Training & Review Centres (TRCs)”.

146 cadets have acquired the Philippines sailing license through the NSDP programme with 134 currently undergoing the Programme and a further 170 being prepared to proceed to the Philippines for the examinations.”

The Agency has also made firm arrangements to ensure those cadets who have spent the stipulated 6 months approved for the CoC programme in the Philippines return home immediately. NIMASA urged the cadets to ensure they conclude their CoC examinations as scheduled.

NIMASA initiated the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Programme (NSDP) in 2008 with the aim of addressing the dearth of Nigerian seafarers on ocean going vessels and the need to meet the indigenous manning requirements of coastal and inland shipping (Cabotage regime).

The programme is designed to train Nigerian youth to become seafarers and Naval Architects in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) across the World.

So far the Agency said it has trained 2,241 cadets from inception of the programme, with 841 graduates having obtained sailing licenses (Certificate of Competency) from Maritime Administrations of various countries. Out of this number, around 388 are now gainfully employed in maritime related organizations, while others are in their final stages of the Programme.

It is clear that betters days are here for seafarers around the world!