Operators and key players in the nation’s maritime industry have set new agenda for the new Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.
The stakeholders are demanding for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), review of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP), provision of adequate security on Nigerian waters as well as good welfare for Nigeria seafarers, and a robust stakeholder’s engagement.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily, former president of the Ship Owners Association of Nigerian (SOAN) Engineer Greg Ogbeifun urged the new Director General of NIMASA to conclude the process of the disbursement of the CVFF, stating that the DG could be fortunate to take credit for the disbursement while stating that the Director General should continue with some of the good policies of the last administration .
Ogbeifun also urged the newly appointed DG to tackle the problem of insecurity in the country waterways, while expressing optimism that Jamoh will resolve the issues of insecurity in the Nigeria Waterways.
According to him, “I think what he needs to quickly focus on is the issue of maritime security. Towards the end of Dakuku’s tenure, he did a lot to drive a solution for the challenges we are having in our maritime domain also, including the security architecture that is now being put in place
“Dr. Jamoh having been part of Dakuku’s administration, would definitely know which aspect of Dakuku’s work he will want to continue with, so that there would be continuity and the relevant results will be achieved instead of starting all over again and there must be certain aspects of the policy that Dakuku was driving that Dr. Jamoh may be identified with and would like to continue
“But in addition to that, I think he should look at some of the more hidden truth and as far as stakeholders and ship owners are concerned the aspect of the CVFF is something he can quickly conclude. As you know, the honorable minister of Transportation had set up a committee comprising stakeholders and the former DG of NIMASA to come up with the review of the guideline for the disbursement of the CVFF as required by law. So I think Jamoh can easily conclude on that assignment being the CEO that will take the credit for the final disbursement of the CVFF which has been there all over the years
He reiterated the need for human capacity development and maritime infrastructure development adding that they are platforms that are critical for the actualization of the Cabotage Act while calling for the review of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
“So the NSDP for the training of the Nigerian seafarers need to be revisited and reviewed to make it more effective, taking cognizance of the presence of ships in the country that can be used to provide the much desired ship board experience for the cadets”, he said.
Speaking also, a British trained security expert and secretary of the Merchant Navy Directorate, Capt Alfred Oniye said the newly-appointed Director General should do better than his predecessor, having been in the industry for more than three decades.
He said the Director General as a matter of urgency should tackle the unemployment rate of seafarers, informing that over 70% of seafarers are unemployed.
“I will expect him to do better, because he understands the depth of this job unless he doesn’t want to work, Jamoh is somebody I know very well and I believe he knows what to do, he knows the problem on ground, and if he says he doesn’t, then he doesn’t qualify to be the DG, because a leader must stay ahead of his followers.
“He knows the problem of seafarers, he knows that over 70% of seafarers are unemployed, he knows that our waters have been declared as a red zone, he knows the problem of insecurity among many others, so I will expect him to do the right thing” he said
On his part the President of Nigerian Merchant Navy Senior Staff Association, Engineer Bob Yousuo charged the new DG to ensure full compliance of the Maritime Labour Convention, adding that the DG should ensure equity and fairness to all stakeholders in the sector.
“I think this new administration will bring positive impact to the seafarers and the Merchant Navy as well. “I want the new DG to ensure that he complies with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) regulation. He should not leave some areas to jump to another”
“Seafarers are stakeholders in the industry, so everybody should be fairly treated, give to us what rightly belongs to us, and follow the MLC rule, make the necessary implementation so that we will move forward”
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