The Nigeria Merchant Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has appealed to the Federal and states government to look inward by extending palliative to seafarers operating on the nation’s territorial and inland waters irrespective of their nationality.
The seafaring union also expressed worries over the abandonment of seafarers due the delay in crew change in the face of the novel coronavirus.
National President of the Trade Union Affiliate body ,Marine Chief Engr Bob Yousuo, in a statement made available to Dailyfocus Nigeria on Friday ,noted that the lockdown order by President Muhammadu Buhari failed to yield the desired results in curbing the COVID19 pandemic, saying any form of extension could create more risk to stranded seafarers.
Yousou pointed out that “More than 90‰ of the world economy lies in the hands of seafarers . As we speak this group of people needs the attention of the global and national authorities to ameliorate the suffering and challenges they pass through as a result of no crew change.
The union President noted that some of the merchant navy personnel are abandoned in some ports while others are in the mid sea , urging seafarers’ employers to consider better welfare packages to crews under their work force.
“As the 36 Governors of the Nation are planning to have additional 2week national lockdown it’s imperative for them to consider the plight of the seafarers who are out there for survival of the national & world economy.
“Unfortunately the Nigeria government is carried away with the vulnerables & down trodden. In a situation where the intershift is not working, cheque clearing & no work no pay pose a danger to human activities which of cause lead to social disorder in the society.
“The Government need to factor in so many before considering who qualify for palliatives.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria need to capture average Nigerian for palliatives as well as monitoring to ensuring it gets to them. An hungry man is an angry one, He/she will only comply with order if there is hope of food on the table otherwise, there will be more to battle than the global epidemic.
“It’s therefore my humble advice to the Nigeria Government to consider and extend palliatives to the seafarers who suffer for the survival of the global trade.
“We appreciate NIMASA for the extension on expired certificates renewal urge them to come to the aid of seafarers both Nationales and foreigners at this trying period.
“The shipping companies should be considered for tax holiday, reduced interest rate and some assistance to enable them cope with this current trends of covid 19 epidemic. All the concerned authorities should be reached out to by the Nigeria Government as to source solutions within.”he added.
By Roland Ekama
