The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Agency and Safety Administration (NIMASA) Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, says the agency remains committed to the training of seafarers.
He disclosed this in Calabar, Cross River State, while declaring open the 2014 Seafarer Day Celebration.
He said that his agency had over the years embarked on training and retraining of seafarers to boost the capacity of Nigerian seafarers and that they are well trained with valid and authentic certificates
In his words, “The agency has also shown serious commitment to the placement of Nigerian seafarers on both Nigerian and foreign- flagged vessels by ensuring that they are well trained with valid and authentic certificates”, he said.
Akpobolokemi who was represented by one of the directors in his office, Chief Peter Chucks. Mgbemena, also charged operators in the country’s maritime sector to only engage the services of qualified seafarers in order to ensure safety on waterways.
The director-general stressed the need for stakeholders to promote professionalism in order to move the sector forward.
He said, “The ship owners are also being encouraged to engage qualified Nigerian seafarers on board their vessels.
While applauding seafarers for their strategic services to the public, the NIMASA boss noted that it would be difficult for the populace to access some of their basic needs without the seafarers.
Akpobolokem said, “Seafarers are the people without whom food, clothes, gifts, gadgets will not reach our door. Seafarers get most of our needs”.
In his remark, Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Obi Calistus, described the theme of this year’s celebration ” Seafarers Brought me…” as apt.
He noted with gratitude, the huge contribution of seafarers to the economic well-being of the nation.
Speaking through Ms. Ego Nwokocha, he said “to us as a nation, we believe seafarers brought us many things, but in particular, an improved economy. It is a day when it is imperative to recognise their great contribution in the area of socio-economic development of nations.”
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