By Roland Ekama
The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has advocated for the federal government to prioritize seafarers’ certification for regular job placement.
The Seafarers’ union called on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola to direct the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to engage in bilateral/multilateral agreements with maritime nations for a recognised Certificate of Competence (CoC) for the country.
National President of the Trade Union affiliate group, Comrade Bob Joseph Yousuo made the call in a message to the Nigerians seafarers’ in commemoration of 2024 worker’s day celebration.
Yousuo who doubles as the chairman seafarer in Africa, reiterated the need for better pay for seafarers in line with the global best practices
He stated that the globally recognised and accepted certificate will afford Nigerian seafarers more employment opportunities.
Speaking further, he urged federal government to expedite actions on the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt refinery to commence operations to alleviate the sufferings of the Nigerian masses.
He nudged the government to do something about the fuel scarcity and high cost of goods in the country.
He pleaded with the federal and state governments to consider the plight of Nigerian workers by giving them living wages because of the economic hardship in the country.
Comrade Engr. Yousou also called on the federal government to revisit the issue of electricity and telecom tariffs for downward review to make life bearable for Nigerian workers
He however appreciated the Nigerian seafarers for their doggedness and professionalism with which they discharge their duties despite the hardship in the country saying that workers should be united and resist the slave masters.
Engr. Yousuo also salutes the courage and resilience of Nigerian workers and urges them to be united and resist the slaves masters, while wishing seafarers’ and other workforce happy workers day.
“We appreciate them for their doggedness and professionalism in the discharge of their herculean task.
Pleading with both the Federal and State Government to consider the plight of Nigerian workers in this economic hardship for minimum living wages, he called on them to revisit the issue of electricity/Telecom tariffs.
