Despite lingering controversies surrounding its expulsion from the association last week, the Shipping Zonal Council of the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transporters Senior Staff Association has vowed that it would not stop pushing for the passage of the controversial Maritime Security Agency (MASSECA) Bill.
The chairman of the Zonal Council; Comrade Ajao Lateef Sanmi and six of his council members were accused of committing sundry offences, which the national body considered as anti-association.
The sacked officers were also said to be giving supporting the controversial Maritime Security Agency (MASECA) Bill.
But, in an exclusive chat with Shipping Position Daily over the weekend, Vice Chairman of Shipping Zonal Council; Capt Alfred Oluwasegun Oniye explained that even though the zonal council is not the sponsor of the Bill, it would not stop supporting it because of the numerous benefits it holds for seafarers.
According to him, the MASECA Bill when passed into law will create jobs for about 35,000 seafarers and 20,000 non-seafarers, totalling 55,000 direct job Nigerians. He noted that the bill will complement the job of Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and that it will enhance the security in the Nigerian maritime domain.
He explained that: "We are not the sponsors of the MASECA BILL, but we can not stop promoting and supporting the bill and nobody can stop us, because freedom of expression is our fundamental human right"
"MASECA BILL is the hope of merchant navy (seafarers), over 85% of Nigerian seafarers are jobless, over 23 seafarers has been kidnapped by sea pirates this year, over 49 were kidnapped last year"
"MASECA Bill will create job for 35,000 seafarers and 20,000 non-seafarers in total 55,000 direct job Nigerians, the bill will complement the job of Nigeria Navy and NIMASA, the bill will enhance the security performance in our maritime domain".
Justifying the Bill further, Capt Oniye said it will generate not less than N2.1trillion for federal government annually.
"Anybody who is against MASECA Bill is an enemy of merchant navy (seafarers) and Nigeria”, he said
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