Delta
State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has stated that the efficiency
and effectiveness of the Nigerian economy depends largely on the
maritime sector as over 90 per cent of the world trade are
transported through the sea.
Senator
Okowa who made this remarks today in his keynote address during the
2018 Day of the Seafarers celebration with the theme; “seafarers’
wellbeing” held in Warri, Delta State organized by the Nigerian
Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other maritime
Agencies also commended NIMASA for its efforts and determination to
ensure that Nigeria is reckoned with in the international maritime
domain.
The
Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state,
Barrister Kingsley Otuaro further applauded the initiative of the
establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), which is the
first specialized in Africa and expressed the readiness of the State
to partner the Agency in actualizing the vision behind the
establishment of the institution.
“As
a State, we are prepared to support and partner NIMASA and the
Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the underlying motive of
establishing the Maritime University is achieved; we are also certain
that the University undoubtedly will be a source of training more
seafarers and adding more commercial value to the Nigerian
economy” the
Governor said.
Earlier
in his welcome remarks, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside noted
that the Nigerian seafarers ranks among the best in the world and can
favourably compete with their foreign counterparts.
Accordingly,
the DG said this is why the Agency in the past few years embarked on
the training and retraining of Nigerian Seafarers and Cadets in
specialized maritime courses both locally and internationally, which
is aimed at enhancing their competences and employability.
Speaking
further, Dr. Peterside who reiterated the Agency’s commitment to
ensuring a better living condition for the seafarers in line with the
International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda gave
the assurance that the Agency will continue to make issues concerning
the seafarers a priority.
He
also highlighted the importance of the ILO’s Maritime Labour
Convention (MLC) 2006 which he said Nigerian ratified in 2013,
stating that it made adequate provisions for seafarers’ welfare
which if fully implemented will also guarantee their wellbeing. “As
the competent authority for the implementation of all IMO and ILO
conventions, NIMASA has diligently commenced the implementation of
the convention in Nigeria from the time it entered into force in 2014
till date, through the conduct of port and flag inspections on board
vessels operating in our waters,” the
DG said.
While
acknowledging the fact that the Nigerian seafarers are faced with
lots of challenges that are work related, Dr. Peterside used the
opportunity to urge all employers to ensure the promotion of ILO’s
Decent Work Agenda, which aims at promoting the workers mental health
and wellbeing.
Meanwhile,
he also stated that as part of the Agency’s commitment to training
and retraining of the seafarers to enhance professionalism in the
sector, the Agency has so far trained over 2000 cadets under the
Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). This is in addition
to those who have already undergone their mandatory sea time
training, 500 have been earmarked for sea time training in 2018
fiscal year, while another 500 will undergo the training in 2019.
Dr.
Peterside also said that 150 fresh cadets will benefit from the
programme under the NSDP which will commence in the next academic
session.
On
the other hand, the Agency in May this year facilitated the training
of 370 Nigerian seafarers in relevant courses leading to
certifications on Standards of Training Certifications (STCW), Oil
Tanker Familiarization, Security Awareness (ISPS) Code, Proficiency
in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) and Dynamic Positioning.
Also,
he hinted that another 560 Dockworkers benefitted from the training
programme on Occupational Safety and Health which was developed in
line with the ILO’s code of practice OSH. “All these are geared
toward realizing a robust maritime sector in line with international
regulations,” Dr. Peterside said.
At
the event, President General of the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN),
represented by the Secretary General, Comrade Felix Akingboye, the
Chairman, Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin, President
of the Seamen and Water Transport Branch of the Maritime Workers’
Union, Comrade Francis Bunu and other Stakeholders unanimously
commended NIMASA for its efforts in ensuring that the welfare of the
seafarers is taken into proper consideration.
The
Day of the seafarers is a day celebrated all over the world on the
25th of
June yearly; following the resolution adopted by the 2010 diplomatic
conference in Manila, Philippines to adopt the STCW Convention.
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