“Only 30 percent of indigenous ship owners complying with our NJIC”, Merchant Navy union cries out,
...Applauds NIMASA for positive moves.
The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to improved welfare packages for seafarers and Marine fishers in line with global best practices.
The National President of the seafarers’ body, High Chief (Engr) Joseph Bob Yousuo PhD, said this in Lagos during a chat with newsmen, as part of his 60th birthday celebration in Lagos.
He spoke against the backdrop of demands made to the federal government at the World Seafarers’ Day celebration.
High Chief Yousuo said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had stepped up to ensure seafarers work in a friendly and conducive environment.
The president reiterated that there is high hope for seafarers, noting that pressure from the unions prompted NIMASA to issue a marine notice that, he added, will favour seafarers.
According to him, NIMASA has taken a positive direction for the betterment of seafarers, disclosing that issuance of discharge books for labour workers on board ships has started.
He noted that there have been gradual changes since World Seafarers’ Day, stressing that, in time, things will sharply improve for seafarers to benefit.
He called on NIMASA to embark on aggressive enforcement in response to non‑compliance by indigenous shipping companies.
“The problem we are having is the level of compliance we have fought for so far. Indigenous shipowners are not complying; truly speaking, only about 30 percent of them are complying, which is not good. The CBA is not respected by some indigenous shipowners.
“We have different types of contracts and conditions of service, but what about safety conditions—are they being met? What about the welfare of seafarers and marine fishers? That is why we are insisting on the CBA being signed by the parties involved in the tripartite agreement.
He further pointed out that “As a union, we are the legally recognized body to speak for seafarers (Officers) and Marine fishers.”
He further commended NIMASA management for listening to the plights of seafarers and marine fishers but added that implementation is key for better working conditions. The season seafarer urge the management of NIMASA to do something positive on the dominance of foreign seafarers in our cabotage waters and illegal, unreported & unregulated (IUU) fishing. There’s no justification whatsoever to have Officers mostly junior ones aboard cabotage vessels. It’s an anomaly and NIMASA must put an end to this.
Ahead of World Maritime Day, which holds every 24 September, Comrade Yousuo urged seafarers and marine fishers to work in harmony and display professionalism both ashore and offshore, noting that the marine industry has huge potential for job placement aboard vessels of all types.
He calls on them to embrace the Union for better welfare and wellbeing that meet international standards.
