The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has expressed worries over delay on the part of the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh on the renewal of Certificate of Competency (COC) for seafarers, saying such action poses serious threat to officer aboard ships with clear indications for them losing their jobs in mass.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), affiliate group on Friday, lamented that delay from the DG NIMASA to sign the certificate would cause more job loss for Nigerian seamen , urging him to assign a senior office from the apex regulatory agency to append their signature on his behalf if he is very busy.
The seafaring union lamented that members who are due for the documents renewal are complaining bitterly about the delay from NIMASA, even as they expressed fears over job loss.
DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA, gathered that the delay from NIMASA DG was attributed to the recently concluded general elections, as it was alleged that the Agency’s front man was busy with political activities at the detriment of the seafarers.
Apparently on the plights of seafarers, It was gathered that the DG has not signed the CoC for close to six months; a situation seafarers within the officers’ cadre maintained should have led to protest at the corporate head office of NIMASA in Apapa , Lagos State.
Confirming the situation to our correspondent on Friday in Lagos, National President of the NMNOWTSSA ,Engr. Bob Yousou explained that the situation warrant protest action from seafarers but maintained that the union is on top the situation.
Speaking on the implications behind the signatory setback by the Director General, Yousou who further stated that seafarers may likely lose their jobs in mass if the situation persist noted that most of the officers who are supposed to be at sea aboard vessels cannot go back because of the CoC renewal.
He said the situation may led to more problem for the agency and Nigeria economy because according to him, seafarers are essential workers that ensure the day to day transportation of large cargoes across the globe.
The president appealed to NIMASA management to address the situation squarely before it would snowball into protest noting, “an hungry man is angry man”.
The unionist stated that consultations are ongoing to engage sister Unions in solidarity support on the need for the government agency to expedite actions to sign the documents and allow the seafarers resume duty aboard vessels.
Engr. Yousou further called on Nigerian seafarers to familiarize themselves with the national secretariat of the union situated at No. 14 Oscar Ibru Way, formerly known as Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos in furtherance to report any form of complaints about their welfare and the profession.
Yousou maintained that the NMNOWTSSA is the only body recognised and gazetted by the federal government of Nigeria under the supervision of the Ministry of Transportation and that of Labour and Employment through Trade Union Act thus relating to seafaring profession.
He stressed that the union is ready to address any form of challenges associated with the profession on legitimate grounds but added that membership drive is paramount for a sustainable solidarity movement.
When our correspondent contacted the spokesman of NIMASA ,Mr. Osagie Edward over the weekend, said the situation is under control by management of the regulatory agency.
While responding via a message, he said “Please try get in touch with the group again by tomorrow or Wednesday and I am sure they will inform you of a different situation ”
By Roland Ekama
