The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has stated that the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian economy depends largely on the maritime sector, as over 90 percent of the world trade are transported through the sea.
Senator Okowa who made this remarks today in his keynote address during the 2018 Day of the Seafarers celebration with the theme; “seafarers’ wellbeing” held in Warri, Delta State organized by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other maritime Agencies also commended NIMASA for its efforts and determination to ensure that Nigeria is reckoned with in the international maritime domain.
Senator Okowa applauded the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), which is the first Maritime instituation in Africa.
“As a State, we are prepared to support and partner NIMASA and the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the underlying motive of establishing the Maritime University is achieved; we are also certain that the University undoubtedly will be a source of training more seafarers and adding more commercial value to the Nigerian economy” stated Senator Okowa.
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the General Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), noted that the Nigerian seafarers ranks among the best in the world and can compete with their foreign counterparts.
Accordingly, the General Director stated that the Agency has embarked on the training and retraining of Nigerian Seafarers and Cadets in specialized maritime courses both locally and internationally, which is aimed at enhancing their competences and employability.
Dr. Peterside also reaffirmed NIMASA's commitment to ensuring better living conditions for the seafarers in line with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda.
He also highlighted the importance of the ILO’s Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006, stating that it made adequate provisions for seafarers’ welfare which if fully implemented will also guarantee their wellbeing.
"As the competent authority for the implementation of all IMO and ILO conventions, NIMASA has diligently commenced the implementation of the convention in Nigeria from the time it entered into force in 2014 till date, through the conduct of port and flag inspections on board vessels operating in our waters,” stated Dr. Peterside.
While acknowledging the fact that the Nigerian seafarers are faced with lots of challenges that are work related, Dr. Peterside used the opportunity to urge all employers to ensure the promotion of ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, which aims to promote workers mental health and wellbeing.
NIMASA has trained over 2000 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) to date.
At the event, the General President of the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN), commended NIMASA for its efforts to ensure that seafarers welfare is taken into proper consideration.
The day of the seafarers is a yearly celebration all over the world on the 25th of June.