…We Will Ensure Grant Is judiciously Utilized- Oyetola.
Harboursandport.com: Lagos - The
International Transport Workers’ Federation UK has approved a grant to Nigeria
through the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, to build a Seafarers
Recreation Centre in partnership with the Nigeria Maritime Administration
and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
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Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON in a handshake with the Head of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Seafarers Trust, Katie Higginbottom while Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, OFR looks on during a meeting with the Honourable Minister in Lagos.
The
Head ITF Seafarers Trust Fund, Katie Higginbottom, who announced this during a
meeting with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola CON, in
Lagos over the weekend, noted that the grant was approved after a thorough
assessment of Nigeria’s suitability. In her brief to the Honourable Minister,
she commended MWUN and NIMASA for their commitment to Seafarers wellbeing.
According
to Higginbottom, “The center will serve not only Nigerian seafarers but also
others in the West African region and beyond”. We have absolute faith and trust
in the Comrade Adeyanju led MWUN and we are very pleased with Dr Jamoh and his
team at NIMASA for their enthusiasm towards Seafarers welfare. MWUN has built
up their credibility within the ITF family and we are pleased to partner them
and NIMASA on this project. The grant approval process endured three years of
rigorous assessment and we are satisfied that it is safe to invest in
the Nigerian maritime industry. Our visit to Nigeria is for site inspection so
the project can commence”. Higginbottom said.
The
Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON,
appreciated the ITF for trusting Nigeria with Direct Foreign Fund Investment
in the country with an assurance that it will be judiciously utilized and the
Ministry will ensure NIMASA fulfils her own obligations to the project.
According
to him “Seafarers are the real drivers of the maritime industry. They
sacrifice a lot for human existence, spending most of their time away from
family and onboard vessels. So creating this opportunity for social interaction
is encouraging and commendable. I commend your decision to personally
come to Nigeria and see things for yourself. It shows that you are committed to
the project. To ensure judicious use of your grant, I want to assure you that
the Nigerian government will ensure the project is completed in record
time. The fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, established a standalone
Ministry for the maritime industry shows Nigeria's commitment to make the
country a major maritime nation. I want to assure you that the grant will be
put to use as expected. The Federal Government through our Ministry will
closely monitor the project. I commend the DG NIMASA, Dr Jamoh and the MWUN
President General Comrade Adeyanju for their vision and effort.”
On
his part, the DG NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, restated the commitment of the
Agency, under the supervision of the Ministry, to continuously invest in the
well-being of Seafarers. “We at NIMASA welcome this project
wholeheartedly. We
consider this project a major infrastructural capital development for seafarers
welfare, hence we keyed into it. It will go a long way in improving the mental health of seafarers
and assist their social integration having spent much of their time out there
on the Seas. “I am pleased that our challenge to MWUN some years ago is bearing
positive fruits. This is a result of the constant engagement sessions we always
have with Comrade Adeyanju, who believes in dialogue.” Since our Minister has
sanctioned this project, “I can assure you that NIMASA will meet its
obligations,” he said.
The
President General of MWUN Comrade Adeyanju noted that the quest to better the
lot of Seafarers informed their decision to seek funding from the United
Kingdom based ITF. “The DG NIMASA approached me some time ago challenging
us to do something for seafarers. We took up the challenge, but considering the
current financial situation in the country, we sought a grant from ITF. We are
very happy with NIMASA for all they have been doing” He said.
The
International Transport Workers Federation UK which has the Maritime Workers
Union of Nigeria, MWUN as one of her affiliates, approved a grant to partly
fund the building of a Seafarers Recreation Center in Nigeria. When completed,
the Seafarers Recreational Center will serve as a rallying point for in-country
and Regional Seafarers and those onboard vessels during port calls, who desire
to disembark and savor the warmth of Nigerians.
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