Master Mariners Advocate Conducive Working Environment For Women In Seafaring

The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to create an enabling atmosphere for women to have full participation in seafaring and maritime businesses.

 

The National President of the mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao made the call on Tuesday , in commemoration of the seafarers day celebration organised by the association in Lagos.

 

Captain Alao stressed that the association is putting structures in place before pushing for regulations that will provide comfortable atmosphere for the women in seafaring.

 

“The atmosphere must be conducive on board for women to be on board. We are not happy that our children are not taking over from us in this job but before now the Nigerian National Shipping Lines was there all of a sudden it went off”

 

“Thank God for this government that is trying to pay them pension how would you encourage your child to do that when you are not happy with that”

 

“We are not employers of labour are ad avocacy we want to put structures on ground first before we talk about regulations.

 

Whether they give you platform or not come and take it is your right”

 

Speaking on why women refuse to take up seafaring job, he said the fear of pirate attacks even as he said that should not deter them from taking up seafaring profession.

 

“It takes a string woman to be on board the shop because we have a lot of challenge we have the pirates attacking the ship and all that. Some of them will have to run inside the engine room to save their lives”

 

He also said that in Nigeria people don’t celebrate professionalism.

 

“Here in Nigeria we don’t celebrate professionalism, NIMASA should be full of processionals, those who are not should also develop themselves professionally. My message is that there is room for everybody, they should come on board it is their right”.

 

Also speaking in a paper presentation, a top member of the association, Captain Fatai Balogun called on the government to review policies that would encourage female participation in shipping.

 

Captain Balogun ,a former Lecturer, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN),Oron in Akwa Ibom state, stressed the need for government to promote gender equality as a tool to encourage the female counterparts .

 

According to him , in his paper presentation, there is the urgent need for government and private sectors to create awareness for female to participate fully in shipping activities.

 

He however called for the establishment of maritime library in the country, pointing out that electronic library would expose women folks to participate in seafaring activities.

 

While highlighting reasons behind females negligence in seafaring and shipping related activities,Captain Fatai added that ” Intimidation from male counterparts, lack of career awareness, fear to enter males dominated world , etc are major factors why women are not interested in the seafaring profession.”