Expert Advocates All Inclusive Future Seafarers Day Celebration In Nigeria

Immediate past National President of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association ,Comrade Matthew Alalade has expressed worries over government attention to Nigerian cadets during world Seafarers Day celebration with little or no regards to the core professionals..

Alalade who is also a Marine Surveyor disclosed this in a chat with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA in commerotation of the World Seafarers Day celebration.

The Mariner reiterated that previous celebration of the event by the government for seafarers focused majorly on cadets stressing the need for an all inclusive events in years to come

The former President described cadets as apprentice in seafaring profession adding that attention should be given to core professional like Captains, Marine Engineers, Rating ,Deck Officers as seafarers.

He also called on the federal government ,through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to prioritize Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2000) for the betterment of seafarers in line with current COVID19 pandemic across the world.

Alalade said: “Welfare of seafarers is paramount in relation to MLC and sevices rendered during covid 19 in maintaining the maritime transportation globally.

“Celebration of seafarers must be total because in the past our govetnment have been celebrating only CADETs, not remembring the ratings, deck and engine officers as seafarers. What they usually promote is only cadets.

“Cadets are just like apprentice. Let us remember the past seafarers in order to encourage those coming behind.

Alalade also harped on the need for the Federal Government to acquire ships for commercial and training purposes through Public and Private Partnership (PPP).

“Acquisition of Vessels for commercial and traning purposes by PPP for efficiency is very important at a period like this when the whole world is trying to minimize their resources.”

By Roland Ekama