Nigerian seafarers have indeed seen better days. Not only did first generation seafarers, notably marine engineers and master mariners make significant contributions to the nation’s economy, they were a respected member of the shipping community and command respect and envy of the larger society.
The days when Nigerian seafarers were kings had all gone, in its place, Nigeria now has a large army of half-baked, hence unemployed seafarers who are turned out yearly by an array of equally largely uncertified training institutions.
Nigerian seafarers have indeed seen better days. Not only did first generation seafarers, notably marine engineers and master mariners make significant contributions to the nation’s economy, they were a respected member of the shipping community and command respect and envy of the larger society.
The days when Nigerian seafarers were kings had all gone, in its place, Nigeria now has a large army of half-baked, hence unemployed seafarers who are turned out yearly by an array of equally largely uncertified training institutions.
We recall that the chairman of the Nigerian Shipping Association, Mr Val Osifo, who (even though an offshore personnel) was part of those good old days said at a 2011 pre-event seminar, that: “I feel very sad because in my lifetime, I have seen seamen being celebrated in this country. There used to be over 4,000 seamen in this country. The seamen spent greater part of their lives on the waters. I feel sad at the state of our seaman”.
The same sad tale of good old days was recounted in the same 2011 by the then- managing director of Nigerian Ports Authourity, Engr Omar Suleiman when he reminiscenced that NPA once had an international maritime school and that by the late 1960s. He also recalled to the shock of the large crowd of seafarers and their ‘sympathisers’ that in those good old days, “all harbour crafts including two coal carriers from Port Harcourt to Lagos – “MV Tafawa Balewa” and “MV Enugu” were all fully manned by Nigerians. The Buoy-laying vessel – “MV Bode Thomas”, the 50 tonnes capacity floating crane – “The Wellington” tugs, etc were also manned by Nigerian seafarers”.
The demise of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and the consequent loss of opportunity for sea time for budding seafarers and cadets as well as the failure of Maritime Academy of Nigeria to turn out world- class and employable seafarers have been jointly blamed for the dwindled fortunes of seafarers in Nigeria.
The twin factors of NNSL and MAN Oron’s failure have jointly led to mass unemployment, prevalence of fake and ill-trained seafarers. Things have become so bad that most Nigerian seafarers are no longer employed while the cadets have difficulties serving sea time. Sadly, if they don’t have sea time, they can’t advance in their career.
We are aware of the clamour in some quarters that Nigerian seafarers should be direct beneficiaries of the Cabotage Act, we are also strongly of the opinion that adequate training is a perquisite for sea time and subsequent employment. The first step to ensuring a more fulfilling career is to ensure that there are more maritime training opportunities for intending seafarers.
To do this, Nigeria certainly needs more maritime schools, but not in the manner they are at the moment.
This is where the celebrated Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) which was initiated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA in 2008 comes in.
According to NIMASA, it intends to use the NSDP to expand the scope of training ratings and cadets and use it as a strategic intervention designed to address the manpower requirements in the maritime sector.
While commending NIMASA for the programme, we also hope that the constant fears of sea time by the cadets are being addressed. This is because it is of no use to have Nigeria spend so much money on these youths in some of the best nautical institutions and universities in the world and not see the programme through.
The fact is that the objectives of setting up the NSDP are being met, to the extent that Nigerian youths are being trained in relevant areas of seafaring and are being given opportunities for sea time.
But we are also of the strong opinion that NIMASA needs to take the issue of sea timer more seriously than it is doing currently. We hear of cases of cadets protesting non placement on ships for sea time and we hear of denials by NIMASA. But there can’t be smoke without fire.
If NIMASA intends to bridge the manpower gap in the nation’s maritime industry with the NSDP, then there must be ships to absolve products of the well-intentioned programme
While the NSDP is good, we however remain irrevocably convinced that a properly equipped and well staffed Maritime Academy of Nigeria is also imperative to engendering a new lease of life for aspiring seafarers.
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