Frontline maritime lawyer ,Barrister Osuala Emmanuel Nwagbara has disclosed that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) plays critical roles for the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to be efficient and effective.
Barrister Nwagbara said this on Wednesday during the official launch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria maiden edition of MWUN quarterly magazine “The Maritime Labour Voice“.
The maritime lawyer noted that effective promotion of marine and blue economy will have a positive impact on workers in the industry calling on the new minister to advocate the sustainable use of the ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and creation of jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem and green shipping.
Nwagbara who was speaking on a paper titled “Marine And Blue Economy: It’s Impact On Maritime Workers” , hinted that maritime workers are key stakeholder in achieving balance in sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, hence their welfare must enjoy priority attention by all concerned, in the plans and programmes towards a functional Marine and Blue Economy.
He stated that the establishment of Ministry of Marine and Blue economy is a welcome development in the history of Nigeria and the ministry is charged with enormous responsibility with respect to the activities in Nigeria maritime ecosystem.
Speaking on the role of the ministry, Nwagbara said “The Minister must ensure a working synergy among the Parastatals under his supervision and also ensure working synergy between the Parastatals under his Ministry and those under the supervision of other Ministries wherever such synergy would promote and drive the Marine and Blue economy and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The maritime workers most especially seafarers are the engine room, the hands and eye with which the vessel owners operate their vessels at sea.
“The maritime workers are the field soldiers that steer the vessel in line with blue economy agenda advocated in the various multilateral treaties super intended by the various international organizations such as the International Maritime Organisation, World Health Organisation, International Labour Organisation and others”
He stressed that a functional Marine and Blue economy must ensure proper training and education of the seafarers, dock workers and other maritime employees as part of professional development with proper remuneration, welfare, health and safety of maritime workers in line with international treaties.
He hinted that adequate training and certification of maritime industry employees will not only meet the Nigerian maritime industry manpower needs, but will also lead to export of maritime industry manpower to other parts of the global community.
In his word”There is urgent need for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to establish Overseas Maritime Employees Department [OMED] within the Ministry to cater for the training/certification needs and exportation of maritime industry manpower from Nigeria to other parts of the world, similar to what obtains in the Philippines.
” This will have the effect of not only generating employment for Nigeria`s teeming unemployed youth, but will also generate scarce foreign exchange and in addition promote the status of Nigeria among maritime nations”
Ismail and Head, Maritime Labour Service, NIMASA ,Mr. Aliyu during the MWUN Magazine Launch held on Wednesday in Lagos
Also speaking, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju said that the magazine was primarily to promote harmonious working environment that will stimulate industrial peace and represent the voice of the voiceless
He added that the quarterly publication was borne out of collective dream of leaders and members of the union.
Adeyanju, however, stressed that Nigeria is a maritime nation blessed with valuable water resources that contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of food, mineral resources and marine transport.
The MWUN boss observed that the government must have a positive response to threats posed by the reckless use of the oceans led to the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy.
The launching which held in Lagos, was witnessed by dignitaries in the Maritime and labour sectors.
By Roland Ekama
