Engineer Bob Yousuo ( National President, Nigerian Merchant Navy)
I want to implore the new DG to focus more on the core objectives of NIMASA. More attention should be given to the Cabotage and Maritime Labour Department of the agency because that is one of the major areas of NIMASA. The laws that govern Cabotage and Maritime Labour should be looked into and ensure they are fully implemented.
NIMASA, under the leadership of the new DG should ensure that the ship owners without taking sides do what is right according to local and international laws. The Agency should ensure that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for Seafarers is fully enforced and implemented. The issuance of Seafarers Identification Cards should also be looked into. We are hopeful that the new DG will do better.
Dr Edward Sohwo (NISA CVFF Committee Chairman)
I have read through his CV and in my own opinion, he is well qualified for the job. He has done a lot in the maritime world in terms of certification and training. He has also been involved in activities in line with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. So I think he is well qualified for the job and I believe he would do well. This year, I want him to look at the CVFF and the Cabotage Waiver. We want the Cabotage waiver to be removed. We want NIMASA to be rejigged and ensure the waivers in the Cabotage law are removed. This will help us move indigenous shipping forward in the country. He should also ensure that the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund is brought to fruition.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (National
The new Director General should call stakeholders and request for means and ways to soften constraints and create wealth in the industry. The staff of the agency should be adequately informed and educated on the direction and plans of the new DG for the agency and the industry at large. He should give them marching orders and adequately monitor the execution of tasks assigned to them. The industry has been at low ebb.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy Shipping Zonal Council)
I would request that we strongly push for the upgrading of our licenses to unlimited levels and enlarging the scale scope of NCV from 30 nautical miles to between 150-200 nautical miles to conform with other countries of the world. The new DG should ensure creating, monitoring and implementation of minimum standard wages for Nigerian seafarers in comparison to their African colleagues. This will as well allow the Nigerian seafarers help to bring in foreign exchange to the economy. Lastly, he should look into the upgrading of MAN Oron, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology to the expected status to train mariners to achieve BSc alongside the COC and also reduce capital flight in strengthening our currency.
Mr Rowaye Jubril (General Secretary, NISA)
The priorities of the new DG should be to encourage indigenous ship acquisition by ensuring removal of all disincentive variables such as waiver clauses and making ship registration seamless through digitization. There should be increased quality education and mandatory training of seafarers. He should also ensure adequate cooperation with other agencies including the Nigerian Navy to secure coastal waters and Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) for seamless maritime operations. This stems piracy and other illegal activities on our water.
Utibe-Abasi Isaac (Graduate)
The major issue that has confronted the maritime industry for ages now is a policy issue that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. With the full implementation of the Cabotage law, there will be a drastic reduction of unemployment which is the principal cause of maritime crime apart from white collar crime carried out by principal actors in government or influential people & first class citizens. An enforcement agency (Coast Guard) should be created to enforce the Merchant Shipping Act that establishes the agency and other local and international maritime laws and treaties. Our system of education should be upgraded instead of the agency spending hard currency in training Cadets abroad, the money should be converted to invest in our academics/educational system here in Nigeria, and training ships bought.
Comrade Ifeanyi Abel Chukwu (Admin/Asst. Secretary, Merchant Navy)
The new DG of NIMASA should as a matter of top priority ensure that Nigerian seafarers with Nigeria, Certificate of Competency (CoC) are recognized by the international maritime community, because at the moment, it’s herculean task and very difficult for them to be gainfully employed as most shipping companies prefer those with foreign license. Nigerian seafarers with Foreign CoC should also be remunerated in par with their foreign counterparts and not paid lower wages even in a Cabotage regime and in our own territorial waters making the whole essence of the Cabotage regime defeated. Shipping is an international business, hence Nigeria seafarers should be paid in dollars like their foreign counterparts. Lastly, the issue of “Limited Certification” is a great impediment to the growth and development of Nigerian seafarers. We want the DG to do whatever is professionally required to ensure that Nigerian seafarers can also obtain an unlimited license.
