Further investigation by Shipping Position Daily have revealed how the Board of Trade (BoT) created by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has compromised their position, by allegedly selling certificates and discharge book to non- seafarers.
You will recall that last month, Shipping Position Daily had reported that the alleged sales of certificates to those who did not have the prerequisite training.
It was reported that the half-baked seafarers paid as much as N75, 000 to N85, 000 to get the certificate that they are not due for.
Our correspondent who embarked on undercover investigation of the racket, gathered two weeks ago that the agency issued yet another set of discharge certificates to over 80 cadets and non-cadets.
According to one of those who actually received the discharged certificate without going to any of the registered seafarer schools, he paid N58, 000 to get the certificate.
He confessed to our correspondent that: “I have never been to any seafarer school and I don’t know the location of any, but I am telling you this based on trust, I paid the sum of N58, 000 to get this certificate, while others paid around N60,000 to N70,000 to get it”
“We were told that the actual cost was N12, 000, but that is for those who actually have the training, but for those of us who have never been to any maritime school, we paid as much as that amount”, he said.
You will recall that one of those who were given the certificate last month without attending any school or being on board an ship previously, stated that Ship Masters who are meant to check how competent the seafarers are never bothered about the competency, but rather seek gratifications.
“The Ship Masters are the ones who are meant to check the competency of this people, but as soon as they are given the money, they will recommend to NIMASA who then issue the certificate”.
“That is why the shipping is providing thousands of jobs for foreigners while little can be said of Nigerians”.
Speaking with our correspondent on the scandal, the President of the National Association of Masters Mariners (NAMM) Capt. Tajudeen Alao expressed shock, even as he pledged that the association will carry out their investigation to ascertain how true they were.
He said: “I am not aware of the certificate buying; if the certificate goes through the computer then it means it is genuine, but it is surprising to me
“If there is proof and the certificate is genuine that it was purchased, our association will support you and even fund you to get to the root of the matter”
“We are ready to support morally and financially to get to the root and bring the culprit to book and that is the position of master mariners and my position. We will also make our investigation as well, pertaining to the allegations”, he said.
All efforts to get the reactions of the Deputy Director Public Relation Officer (DDPR) of NIMASA; Mr Isichei Osamgbi was abortive as text messages and e-mails sent to him were not responded to, as at the time of writing this story.
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