WMD 2024: Seafarers’ Union Makes Case For Aged Mariners To Restructure Maritime Institutions

By Roland Ekama

In commemoration to the 2024 World Maritime Day , the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has called on the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to look inward for the engagement of experience master mariners and marine engineers to various maritime institutions for upskilling of students yearning for maritime career.

In a bid to build capacity for the teeming youths,and bridging the gap of experience mariners , the Trade Union Congress (TUC) affiliate group stressed the need for government to look inward towards engaging marine experts to impact knowledge of experience as part- time lecturers in both private and government owned institutions aimed to reduce the number of foreign training of cadets under the National Seafarers’ Development Programmes.

National President of NMNOWTSSA, Comrade Bob Joseph Yousuo who stated this on Thursday stated that it’s expected they ( senior citizens) should give back to the society through capacity building, pointing out that their impact will improve Nigeria certificates for global acceptability.

The President added that Nigeria as a maritime nation that must comply with international conventions and policies in turn stipulates that all shipping companies have CBA.

He queried that “How many of the shipping companies have this document? We therefore use this opportunity to request that NIMASA issue MARINE NOTICE to make evidence of CBA a requisite for Shipping Company License renewal.

The marine engineer pointed out that “There’s this saying that “a hungry Man is an angry man”. I want to plead with the shipping companies to pay mariners and the likes wages that meet global standards and pay promptly as when due.

He said Nigeria is a maritime nation that is expected to adhere to global safety standards and practices calling on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to ratify the C188F.

“As we mark the World Maritime day, today there’s a need for us as a Maritime Nation to ensure we ratify vital Maritime Conventions and comply with the ones already ratified. In line with the marine and blue economy mandate, we sincerely request Hon. minister of MBE Sir, that C188F be ratified as speedily as possible. The process of ratification has started for two years now.”,he stated.