Oyetola lauds NIMASA DG, NPA MD, Others as they celebrate Day of the Seafarers
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday joined the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as well as other key stakeholders to celebrate Day of the Seafarers 2024. The event which was held in Lagos was […]
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday joined the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as well as other key stakeholders to celebrate Day of the Seafarers 2024.
The event which was held in Lagos was filled with excitements and glamour as the Minister disclosed plans by the federal government to improve on the welfare if the seafarers..
While delivering a goodwill message at the event, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, outlined some of the risk which seafarers face at sea to include harassment, abductions and sailing around war zones.
Bello-Koko who was represented by the Executive Director Marine and Operations Engr. Olalekan Abdulrahman
Badmus, said the risk is despite the fact that seafarers are not well paid, by their employers.
Explaining the important role which seafarers play globally, the NPA boss stated that, it is a common knowledge that the Maritime sector accounts for over 90 percent of global trade and that this represents half of the world’s economic output.
The NPA boss noted that seafarers are important economic drivers that will help to spur development and reduce poverty.
“Therefore, every member of the maritime and indeed the global community is directly or indirectly a beneficiary of the service rendered by the seafarers.
“So, it is important to recognize and specially celebrate the seafarers but not only on this day but every day.Beyond fanfare, there is need for every stakeholder present here today to use this celebration to further resolve to increase their supports and commitment to this distinguished caliber of men and women of honor (our Seafarers).
“We cannot afford to forget nor undermine the cognizance of impact of these people on our port ratings. NPA in 2023 urgently reconstructed and fully equipped the Mission to Seafarers facility in Lagos to regional best-in-class status so as to provide Shore Leave for our Seafarers.
“This is in recognition of the necessity for this special category of men and women who spend weeks on end holed up with only work mates as this facility will provide them the means to interact and access internet connections so as to interact with their family and loved ones and as well make the work environment habitable for them.
“The partnership with the Mission to Seafarers and consequent development of the Seafarers centre is a testament of our relentless effort and commitment at the Nigerian Ports Authority to the Seafarer’s welfare.
“Although, it is good to note as studies have shown that sea transport remains the most environmentally friendly form of transports. It is therefore important to acknowledge that our seafarers have always played and continue to play pivotal roles in achieving this fact.
‘Indeed, making global port operations healthier, safer and more secure whilst actualizing the other noble objectives of the World Ports Sustainability Program rests heavily on our shoulders as policy framers, investors and stakeholders in its broadest ramification” he said.
Meanwhile, in his keynote address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, acknowledged the role both NIMASA and NPA are playing in ensuring that seafarers get due recognition.
He said in recognizing some of the challenges is behind the creation of the
Seafarers’ Development program, through, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) and that government is making exploring avenues to create more jobs for seafarers.
“The Agency is exploring avenues to create jobs for our seafarers, including collaborating with government agencies like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)” he added.
We have directed foreign vessels plying nation’s water to replace foreign seafarers with Nigerians – NIMASA DG
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has directed owners of foreign vessels plying nation’s waters to replace their foreign seafarers with Nigerians in line with the new Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning.
Dr. Mobereola, gave this directive in his welcome address presented at the 2024 Celebration of Day of the Seafarers in Lagos.
The NIMASA boss who also recognize the humongous challenges seafarers face, navigating war zones, and the pains they suffer in the hands of pirates, said despite the challenges, some of their basic rights, such as proper insurance and compensation, are not always guaranteed.
On the area of employment of Seafarers, Mobereola explained that the Agency through the introduction of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning has ensured that all foreign Seafarer Ratings and some category of officers onboard Cabotage Vessels are immediately replaced with qualified Nigerian Seafarers.
“The Third phase of the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development program aims to graduate 435 officers. Many trainees are currently undergoing mandatory sea-time training on-board ocean going vessels. The challenge lies in securing placements for these qualified seafarers, but we are working to resolve this issue.
The Agency is exploring avenues to create jobs for our seafarers, including collaborating with government agencies like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Soon, certain positions such as Ratings and Officer of the Watch will be designated as “no longer available” for foreign Seafarers to occupy. However, some other positions may be considered based on merit for foreigners to occupy.
Let me inform this esteemed gathering, that the Agency is working tirelessly to strengthen its legal framework by domesticating all Maritime Labour related ILO Conventions ratified by Nigeria. These conventions include the Maritime Labour Conventions (MLC) 2006 as amended, the Seafarers Identity Document (SID) Convention as amended, and the Dock Work Convention.
Nigeria has the potential to be a maritime powerhouse. To achieve this, we must focus on a three-pronged approach:
Talent Acquisition: We need to bridge the gap in understanding of the maritime industry, attracting young minds with fulfilling career paths.
Talent Development: Equipping seafarers with continuous learning opportunities and a service-oriented mindset will unlock their full potential.
Talent Deployment: We must promote female participation and ensure qualified Nigerians secure placements on vessels.
We will launch youth-focused programs to educate and empower the next generation, preparing them to contribute to a sustainable maritime future. Investing in smart ship technologies will further promote a clean environment.
Furthermore, I wish to reiterate the Agency’s resolve towards tackling the menace of piracy and sea robbery which has significantly reduced since the operationalization of our maritime assets under the Deep Blue Project.
As we embark on this momentous occasion, I extend our deepest gratitude to the esteemed Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, our valued sister agencies, and all esteemed stakeholders. We are particularly appreciative of the unwavering support of the Merchant Navy/Maritime Workers’ Union Nigeria, and indeed, all our partners who have come together to make this event a reality.