Engr. Emmanuel Ilori (Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Shipowners Association)
The challenge we have in Nigeria is how to develop a qualitative maritime industry where ships are properly operated and run. Primarily, the seafarers are key solution to the profitable and efficient ship operations. If we must have competent seafarers in Nigeria we must first look at the systemic challenges which has to do with the attitude of cadets going to sea, what is their primary purpose of going to sea? There must be a genuine interest, it must be seen as a vocation, it is only when the interest is there that we can succeed. The system on the other hand should also be reformed to support the willing cadets. Unfortunately the NSDP as presently constituted is not the solution to the shortage of seafarers, going to sea is a vocation on its own, and it's not a matter of selecting people from various regions as being done under NSDP.
Mr. Tunji Obagbo (POTEMAN Academy)
On the issue of seafarers in Nigeria, Government is our major problem, government policy is the main problem affecting seafarers. The MLC 2006 has been ratified, but up till now it has not been domesticated, it's still with the National Assembly, there are lots of maritime policies and bills at the National Assembly, but nothing is done about it. Let's look at the NSDP programme that NIMASA is running, there is no work for the cadets after training, how can they exhibit what they have been trained upon? So the solution lies in the hands of the government and it has to do with their policies, they should encourage investors who could take these seafarers onboard, the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) had promised 40 Greek ships but we have not seen anything up till now, perhaps if this was implemented, it would have helped to place some cadets onboard. Secondly, technocrats should be put in place at key maritime positions, not for people to start learning on the job; you can see this in the Minister of Transport and the NIMASA DG.
Capt Franklin Akinpelumi (Ship Owner)
We can look at the solution from various angles, first is the certification of seafarers in Nigeria, currently the certification process is faulty, we have the angle of the flag administration (NIMASA) placing the cart before the horse, they should allow seafarers training to be private sector driven, it is not enough for government to take seafarers to school and at the end of the day there is no where for them to practice. The private sector doesn't have capacity but when they should be given capacity by Government and each organisation could absolve a minimum of two cadets, by so doing they will send the cadets abroad and the cadet knows that when he finishes his programme he has a job to come back to. Another aspect is the issue of brain drain, a lot of our people are out of the country.
Lucky Amiwero (Chairman, Eyis Resources)
When you talk about seafarers, all the core mandate of NIMASA is not being implemented, all the agency does now is to go to seminars and take pictures, but Nigerians are tired of pictures, the problem is that we have been bringing people who are coming to learn on the job, we don't bring experts. The way out is for government to put the right people into positions, not just organizing seminars. I don't believe we have shortage of qualified seafarers, we have enough seafarers but there is no job for them, most of them are hanging around doing nothing, MAN Oron and other academies around should get people to put lasting structures in place. The NSDP Cadets that just returned, how will NIMASA engage them? Nigeria has all the resources but we have the wrong people in the right places. Nigeria must have vessels if we want to be serious about developing seafarers.
Dr. Reuben Ovia (Rector SMA)
Firstly, there is the need for structures to be put in place by the federal government. Lack of ships owned by Nigerians calls for great concern because without ships owned by the Nigerian operators, the shipping sector will continue to be bane for our seafarers to be recognised globally. This is a serious food for thought and I think there is urgent need for government to declare the maritime sector a state of emergence because of the negligence by our government. The maritime is supposed to sustain the nation but government is not looking towards that direction. Without activities in the sector I don't think there is anyway our seafarers can get the required skill or standard, therefore without ships on ground there is nothing a seafarer can do to progress in the area of capacity building. The future of the Nigerian seafarers remains uncertain if government fails to put policies in the place to boost the industry.
Otunba Sola Olatunji (NISA member)
Government in the first place needs to empower the indigenous ship owners. From look inward on how to bring both the ship owners and the capacity together through a MOU to provide sea time for the cadets and seafarers. Lack of vessels by Nigerians is a major reason why seafarers are not recognised internationally and if a seafarer or cadet cannot practice what he has learnt in the classroom, then there is no way such person can be referred to a world class seafarer. For you to be a professional seafarer, you must be seen mostly on practical terms of the profession. What the government is doing presently is to put the cat before the horse.
Chris Sadoh (SMA)
There is need for Nigeria government to put its house in order because the country is right now in a mess and if seafarers should come on board then I think the minister of transport and agencies under him should work together to ensure that all maritime institutions irrespective of public or private get sea time experience. There is need to give much attention to the education sub sector of the maritime industry in other to boost capacity for IMO standard or requirement to be met. Therefore we need to carry out a thorough home work to encourage institutions on ground and with that we can compete favourably with other seafarers in the world for them to be recognised globally.
Chris Ante (Stakeholder)
Government and the private sector should collaborate to provide training incentives to Nigerian seafarers to enable our seafarers achieve required certification. It is beyond the government alone to ensure that seafarers get international recognition, there is need for public and private partnership to make the seafarers get required standard.
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