The Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has announced that from today (March 1, 2013), it will introduce a new identification card to seafarers in Nigeria. The merchant Navy body said that the move is aimed at revamping seafarers’ status and to prevent them from harassment by security government agencies.
The Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has announced that from today (March 1, 2013), it will introduce a new identification card to seafarers in Nigeria. The merchant Navy body said that the move is aimed at revamping seafarers’ status and to prevent them from harassment by security government agencies.
President of the association ,Engineer Matthew Alalade told Shipping Position Daily on Tuesday in Lagos that beginning from today, “seafarers without the new identity card will have themselves to blame whenever they encounter challenges with officers from government security agents.
According to him, “any seafarer that refuses to upgrade his or her identity card will regret it whenever the need arises.’’
‘’It is our own way of making sure that things change for the better with our outfit, that is why we are coming up with this method.’’
The president acknowledged that there many individuals who parade themselves as merchant Navy personnel, adding that there will be proper scrutiny before a new identity card will be issued to any individual.
He said that the restructuring was in line with plans to ensure that the Merchant Navy redeemed its image.
He also reiterated that the outfit will not hesitate to deal with anyone found wanting or who violates the directive.
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