…We will
Sign Bilateral Agreements on CoC Recognition – Jamoh
Harboursandport.com: Lagos - Minister of
Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has flagged off the third phase of the
Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
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| Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh |
A statement
signed by Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, noted
that the minister said, “The doggedness of NIMASA in ensuring the success of
this programme is commendable, but I would like the Agency to include is more
local training institutions that meet the standard required for the training,”
Amaechi said.
To the
cadets, the Minister stated, “For those who are leaving, please, do not
embarrass the country. You are not just ambassadors of NIMASA, you are
ambassadors of Nigeria. You have to be of utmost good behaviour.
“You have
to study and pass your exams. There are so many youths who want this
opportunity that you have. It means that you must show NIMASA that they did not
make any mistake in choosing you.”
He advised
those who might not get the opportunity to be hired overseas at the end of
their sea time training to return home and contribute to national development,
saying opportunities are gradually opening up for them in Nigeria.
“After
training, some of you will be hired overseas. The ones that are not hired
overseas, please, come back to the country. This country is changing in time.
You will see the changes as you come. It won’t be easy, it’s difficult, but the
changes are coming gradually,” he said.
In his
welcome address, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the third
phase of NSDP, called NSDP Tera, had addressed many of the challenges
encountered in the previous stages of the programme. Jamoh said with this
latest phase, the country was set for a better, more innovative maritime
manpower development experience.
He said,
“NSDP-3 brings our maritime manpower development strategy to the next level. It
is a complete package, which offers the cadets everything they need to qualify
as seafarers, from shore-based training to sea time training, and attainment
of Certificate of Competency (CoC).”
On the
issue of international recognition of Nigerian CoCs,
Dr. Jamoh
stated that the Agency was working on signing bilateral agreements with some
countries to facilitate greater recognition and acceptance of the country’s
seafarers as well as optimisation of the benefits of the programme.
The Director-General said, “To prepare ourselves for the coming opportunities, the Agency will make concerted efforts to sign bi-lateral agreements of mutual recognition of Certificate of Competency to open opportunities for Nigerian seafarers to work abroad.
“We are
working with industry experts to ensure that our Maritime Education and
Training (MET) meets international standards.”
Chairman,
Board of NIMASA, Asita Honourable Asita, extolled the impact of the NSDP in the
country’s maritime sector. Asita encouraged the cadets to be a good example and
encouragement to other youth in the country.
Former
Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, in his goodwill message, expressed
delight in the pace of implementation of NSDP by the Dr. Jamoh led Management.
Dosunmu emphasised the huge economic benefits of the programme, in terms of
foreign currency repatriation and employment creation, among others, and called
for its sustenance and continued expansion.
The former
Director-General commended Amaechi “for providing purposeful leadership in the
maritime sector. The sector has witnessed unprecedented growth since you became
Minister. The removal of wrecks in our waters has commenced, piracy has reduced
drastically; I commend this administration.”
Delivering
a goodwill message also, the Managing Director of Charkin Maritime Academy, Sir
Charles Wami, called for more partnership among indigenous maritime
institutions on sea time training. Wami advised the cadets to be disciplined
and assured them of success, stating, “Onboard a ship, cadets are not supposed
to be heard but seen. As long as the sea never dries, there will be jobs for you
as mariners. This profession is one that you can be proud of.”
There were
goodwill messages from other industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian
Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, one of the highest employers of seafarers
in Nigeria, and retired Merchant Navy Captain and former Minister of Interior,
Emmanuel Iheanacho.
NSDP is an
interventionist programme initiated to address the dearth of trained and
certified seafarers in the Nigerian maritime industry. More than 2, 000
Nigerians have been trained under the NSDP since its commencement in
2009.
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