Gulf Manning Services (GMS) has carried out a one day capacity building programme for members, Seamen/ NIWA and Water Transport Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN),in line with international best practices.
GSM is the manning agent for multinational shipping lines like BWG and NYK respectively, with well over 200 seafarers’ under its employment pool.
The capacity building programme held on Wednesday in Lagos, was centred on how to effectively strike a balance between family (home) and work (sea).
Speaking on the sideline with newsmen, General Manager, GSM Mr. Ibrahim Agoro stated that the essence of the training was centred to enhance productivity at work and continuous manpower development for workers who are seafarers .
Agoro noted that the training centred on key areas which has to do with the families while at sea, vis a viz the need to encourage seafarers aboard vessel.
He noted that seafarers’ contribute to the nation’s economy, hence the need to train them in line with the international best practices, because according to him, it enhances the relationship between employers and employees.
He affirmed that the turnout of seafarers’ at the programme was impressive, stressing that the human capacity development engagement would also lead to transfer of knowledge from generation to generation.
The GSM boss also commended the leadership of the MWUN for the initiative which in turn would go do well in the history of seafarers’ in line with continuous manpower development project.
According to him, the one day programme was designed with five courses which centred on how to take care of the family while at work, life at sea, stress management ,career guidelines etc.
On the impact and benefits of the programme, he said” The idea behind the training is all about progression . For those who are in attendance today . It is expected that they share the knowledge with those who are at sea. It’s a continuous exercise.”
On his part, Deputy President General MWUN , Comrade Francis Bunu said the maiden capacity building will be replicated in Calabar, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt branches of the union.
Bunu said seafarers’ spend most of their time at sea, therefore the welfare of the families must be taken into consideration.
He called on the Tinubu led government to invest in seafarers and support the maritime union as a veritable tool for nation building.
The DPG noted that “Without seafarers ‘the world will not move so we want the government to look into the well-being of seafarers'”.
Continuing, he said,”To without seafarers’ NPA,NIWA and NIMASA will not work therefore will need the government to training the seafarers’ because they contribute to the nation’s economy.
Speaking earlier, President of Seamen/ NIWA Water Transport Branch,MWUN, Comrade Sunday Avoseh called other manning agents in Nigeria to support the union in the area of capacity building for seafarers’ adding GSM has set the ball rolling for others to follow.
He reiterated that an untrained seafarer is a dangerous worker aboard any vessel, hence the need for the capacity building.
Avoseh maintained that the training centred on the well-being of the workers saying that the capacity building programme for seafarers’ will soon be in Rivers , Delta and Cross River States.
By Roland Ekama
