The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has tasked manning agents, ship owners and other employers to ensure that seafarers are provided with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as part of precautionary measures against the second wave spread of coronavirus .
The seafarers union has also reiterated it commitment to engage employers of labour in the shipping industry on safety and security precautions of members in the line of duty onboard vessels and ashore.
National President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) affiliate , Comrade Bob Yousuo disclosed this in a statement on Monday .
Yousuo who expressed worries over lives of members at sea , called on employers of labour to sacrifice resources in ensuring that seafarers are adequately equipped with the right apparatus adding that the world is still battling with issues bothering on crew change and must be handled with all sincerity.
According to him, Nigerian seafarers’ felt massive blow of coronavirus in 2020 and the nostalgia has affected their mental state thus the second wave of the pandemic might cause severe torture to their psyche if not properly managed by employers.
He also appealed to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other relevant government agencies to enforce strict compliance on vessels calling at the nation’s seaports against further spread of COVID19 by crew aboard foreign vessels.
The National President, who is a season seafarer, stressed that “As the second wave of Covid-19 is gradually rearing its ugly head into the society, NIMASA, terminal operators, employers of labour/ship owners should rise to the occasion and make sure our members are well protected.
“This become very necessary as most seafarers in the first face suffered from untold hardship arising from crew change, repatriation impossibilities, unpaid wages and lost of job.
” All hands must be on deck to ensure that seafarers will not experience the hundles of 2020 COVID 19 epidemic.
” While appreciating ITF Seafarers Trust Fund for it’s previous assistance in form of palliatives, he urge the international body to do more by influencing global policies to alleviate the sufferings/challenges associated with the epidemic.
Comrade Yousuo also called on his members to take caution in the course of their assignments, advising members not to unnecessarily endanger their lives in the cause of discharging their duties .
He added that the international guidelines should be followed pointing out that” Endeavour to report all anomalies to the Union New National Secretariat, 14 Oscar Ibru Way (formally Marine Road) Apapa Lagos for necessary action.
By Roland Ekama
