Master Mariners Flag –Off Campaign For Seafarers Welfare

• Pleads For Seatime For Young Nigerian  Seafarers

The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has flagged-off series of campaigns that are aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Nigerian seafarers, in what it explained as being in line with the theme of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)  for 2010 which is “2010:   Year of Seafarers”.

The association, while unfolding a poster which depicts the plight of Nigerian seafarers, acknowledged that the choice of 2010 as the year of seafarers was in order ands that Nigeria as a member of  the IMO must meet the requirement of  STCW ’95, but lamented that at the moment Nigerian seafarers are not employable outside the shores of the country.

According o the association’s vice president, Capt. Ogheneakpo Akpokuje who represented the president, Capt. Jimi Adu, “present situation where maritime schools in the country are not globally recognised by products end users and where Certificates of Competency issued by responsible Authourity are not acceptable o ship owners is a matter of concern to the association”.

Also speaking the minds of members of the association, chairman, technical committee of NAMM, Capt. Abiodun Omoteso lamented that Nigerian seafarers are usually at the mercy of ship owners who force them to accept internationally unacceptable work conditions and remunerations.

According to him, present – day seafarers are suffering when compared to older generation of seafarers. “Present-day is not the best time at sea considering the poor wages paid, exploitation of African seafarers is also rampant in the sense that from example, some shipowners will ask anyone: can you cook, okay I will put you on board, once you can cook, you come on board, the man gets free food, he gets free accommodation, all he needs to do is to get a discharge book and he says this is seafaring”.  

The occasion was also attended by two past presidents of the association, Capt. Niyi Adeyemo and Capt Adewale Ishola as well as Capt. Emmanuel Omotayo; the mamging director of Apapa Bulk Terminal and Capt Nuru Alao from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).