Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Mr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi has restated the Agency’s commitment to building capacity for the Nigerian maritime sector with a view to facilitate qualitative employment within the Cabotage Regime.
Mr Akpobolokemi stated that the Agency’s investment in the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP, and the facilitation of the establishment of institutes of maritime studies in four Nigerian Universities were a clear testament to the commitment to building capacity for the industry.
The DG, who spoke through the Agency’s Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services Barr. Callistus Obi at this year’s seafarers day celebration in Port Harcourt, appealed to stakeholders in the industry to encourage Nigerian youths to seek careers at sea.
In his words “the overwhelming interest showed by Nigerian youths in the seafaring profession calls for support from all industry stakeholders in the maritime sector to assist in capacity development, especially in the area of onboard training. We at NIMASA have been placing cadets’ onboard cabotage vessels as part of mandatory requirements for obtaining their Competency Certificates” he stated.
The DG described the submission of Nigeria’s instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 to the International Labour Organization exactly a week before the celebrations of this year’s day of the seafarers as a testament to NIMASA’s commitment to the welfare of seafarers with an assurance that the Agency is committed to its successful implementation.
Also speaking at the event, the General Secretary of Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Association of Nigeria Comrade Julius Efokpor noted that NIMASA has done its own part by seeing to the ratification and subsequent submission of instrument of ratification of MLC 2006 to the ILO. He however noted the need for associations and organizations in the maritime sector to commence immediate work on their individual conditions of service for seafarers in line with the provisions of the MLC adding that it will serve as the required catalyst NIMASA needs for effective and smooth implementation of the Convention.
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