World Maritime Day: Seafarers seek engagement of Master Mariners, Engineers as lecturers in maritime institutions
World Maritime Day: Seafarers seek engagement of Master Mariners, Engineers as lecturers in maritime institutions
Segun Oladipupo
The Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA) had called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to engage master Mariners and engineers in maritime institutions
The Trade Union affiliate union stated that the wealth of experience of the professionals would help Nigeria’s maritime institutions to meet global standard
The National President of the union, Chief Engr, Bob Joseph Yousuo while speaking at the 2024 World Maritime Day celebration, maintained that the master Mariners should give back to the society by offering teaching service to the younger generation of seafarers.
“Besides the above, as a Maritime Nation, Nigeria must think outside the box by ensuring our Maritime Institutions meet global standards in facilities and personnel.
“It is imperative that NIMASA look inward to engaging our Master Mariners and Engineers to impact knowledge of experience as part- time lecturers in our Maritime Institutions with special packages, with temporary accommodations provided for them at the institution premises.
“Most of them enjoyed tax payers money, it’s expected they give back to our society in this regard. we must improve on our certificates for global acceptance
Speaking further, Yousuo called on the country to comply with industry policies
His words, “As a Maritime Nation, it’s also expected we comply with our policies Eg, the NJIC stipulates that all shipping companies have CBA. How many of them have this document? We therefore use this opportunity to request that NIMASA issue MARINE NOTICE to make evidence of CBA a requisite for Shipping Company License renewal.
“There’s this saying that “a hungry Man is an angry man”. I want to plead with the shipping companies to pay Mariners and the likes wages that meet global standards and pay promptly as at when due.
“As we mark the World Maritime day, today there’s a need for us as a Maritime Nation to ensure we ratify vital Maritime Conventions and comply with the ones already ratified. In line with the marine and blue economy mandate, we sincerely request Hon. minister of MBE Sir, that C188F be ratified as speedily as possible. The process of ratification has started for two years now,” he said.
The theme of this year’s World Maritime day is “Navigating the future; safety first’’.
According to the president of the senior staff union, “We as a nation is expected to adhere to global safety standards and practices. Safety as we all know is a fundamental precipitation for attaining a robust and business most friendly Maritime sector of our Economy. As a Maritime Nation, we must strive to ensure Safety of Maritime investments, Life and Properties as well as the sea-worthiness of the vessels within our territorial waters.”
