By Roland Ekama
The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has urged the federal government and lawmakers to work closely with the organised labour groups to combat harassment of seafarers’ on board vessels on the nation’s territorial waters.
MWUN on Wednesday June 25, 2025, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the Day of the Seafarers’ in Port Harcourt Rivers State .
This year’s day of seafarers has as theme , “My Harassment – Free Ship ,”
In his goodwill address, the President General , MWUN Comrade Francis Bunu called on the government to take the campaign against harassment to the ship at the ports saying the perpetrators of the act are in the vessel.
Bunu reiterated that harassment of seafarers’ can only be nipped in the bud onboard ships , adding that seafarers’ are the pillars of world trade .
On th significance of seafarers, the labour union leader called on the federal government to equip the regulatory agency, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA to do more for the seafarers
The Union leader further commended the federal government for the creation of the new ministry; the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) .
Similarly, Director General, NIMASA , Dr. Dayo Mobereola reiterated that Nigeria remains the highest supplier of seafarers’ in Africa, stressing that the apex regulatory agency will continue to support the Seamen toward a free harassment onboard ship in the nation’s territorial waters.
Assuring the Seafarers’ of better welfare packages , Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport,Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni stated that the national Assembly is not sleeping as part of efforts to a better working condition for them.
He noted that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is working assiduously to revolutionized the nation’s blue economy, saying that the maritime industry is the heart of legislature.
According to the senator, additional torture to the harrowing experience of seafarers travelling for months on the sea should be removed.
Acknowledging the pivotal roles of the seafarers, he appealed for a better welfare packages and training for the professionals even as he saluted the courage of past, present and future seafarers.
