The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff
Association have cried out over foreign dominance of foreigners
sailing on Nigerian waters resulting in the lost of accruable revenue running
into millions of dollars.
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| Dakuku Peterside |
The Union therefore called on the management
of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to constitute
a taskforce to check alleged proliferation of fake certificates obtained by
foreigners sailing on Nigerian waters.
The Union, according to Business
and Maritime West Africa, charged NIMASA to scrutinize
Certificate of Competency, COC, being paraded by the foreign nationals.
Secretary General of the Nigerian Seafarers’
branch, Comrade Julius Efokpor disclosed this in Lagos during a meeting with
the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Alhaji
Gambo Ahmed.
The union scribe alleged that some of the
foreigners cannot discharge simple instruction by their Captains which
according to him, indicated lack of competence and inability to work. He
alleged that the practice is prominent with Philippines, Croatia and Pakistan nationals.
"It is our prayers that something
positive be done to achieve laudable objectives and we want to note very sadly
that there are disparities in placement and the wages of Nigerian seafarers and
their foreign counterpart"
"Indeed the foreigners have taken over
our jobs and waivers are not acceptable", he told the ED.
The scribe further urged the agency to
partner with the two unions in ensuring strict compliance with the Cabotage
act.
According to him, the Cabotage act is
supposed to be a blessing to Nigerian seafarers but appears to be a curse.
While commending the agency for its
capacity building for officers, the union leader called on management of the
agency to train more members in order to equip them with required skills.
Efokpor stated that currently, middle level
officers aboard ships require bridging courses for them to progress onto the
next level.
The Secretary General added that training
of officers is required in areas of Dynamic Positioning Vessels (DP), Azimuth
Stern Drive, ISPS Code and others.
Responding, the Executive Director Maritime
labour and Cabotage Services, Alhaji Gambo Ahmed assured the union of the
agency's support and partnership.
Gambo described the union as a key partner
in development of maritime industry.
Also speaking, the Director Maritime of
Labour and Cabotage Services of the agency, Mrs. Juliana Gunwa tasked the union
to be visible in relating with the agency adding that the agency will address
some of their requests.
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