SEAFARERS DAY: Merchant Navy Union Lauds NIMASA ‘s Palliatives Gesture

The Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has lauded efforts put in place by the Dr Bashar Jamoh led management team of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for the distribution of palliative to its members and other seafaring groups.

The agency as part of the activities marking this year’s Seafarers Day Celebration, donated essential commodities, like rice Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), facemasks, and hand sanitisers to Nigerian seafarers.

The Day of the Seafarer, marked June 25 every year worldwide, is a day set aside by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to celebrate seafarers and recognise their invaluable contributions to the global economy.

Speaking in response to the laudable gesture by the apex maritime regulatory agency, National President of the seafarers union, Comrade Bob Yousuo harped on the need for strategic working relationship between the two organisations to move the maritime industry forward.

Yousou who spoke through the Union’s Secretary General, Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue told journalists on Friday in Lagos, that NIMASA was able to extend palliative to members amidst the COVID19 pandemic, thus must be commended for the support.

While expressing satisfaction over the agency’s actions to cushion the effect of seafarers, the Union’s President, maintained that seafarers are essential workers that must be treated like every other frontline service providers under the COVID19 pandemic and government must be able to play major role for their protection and welfare.

Comrade Yousou also called on the regulatory agency to consider the plight of Nigerian seafarers in terms of renumeration against their foreign counterpart adding that the disparity is too much.

According to him, what the foreigners can do the Nigerian seafarers can do better, pointing out that the union will continuous engage relevant authorities to better the lots of members.

He noted that the palliative would go a long way for members sustainability under the COVID19 pandemic.

Items distributed include 400 bags of rice, 300 pieces of nose marks and 800 pieces of hand sanitizers.

By Roland Ekama