Captain Waredi Enuisuoh
The problem is that those he takes care of will have un-rationalized views. The IMO, international and local shipping communities are in a better position to appraise the institution. As far as I know, none of the three, out of those whom I’m in constant contact with are happy with us. Let us say it as it is; without mincing words. I still hear about the inability of maritime platforms in our Search and Rescue Region to communicate with us as required by the SOLAS Convention. While internally, people may use their personal gratifications to appraise the situation, internationally, ships are still very wary of the dangers of navigation in our waters.
Our inability to take care of our security issues is putting pressure on the international community to step in, thereby giving jobs to insurance companies outside our shores under the war risk insurance scheme. There are complaints all over social media by Officers with Nigerian Certificates of Competence being denied jobs because the certificate issued by Nigeria is not recognized internationally. You still have to go outside the country to get an “Unlimited License” and you literally have to start afresh, due to the lack of recognition. We still issue certificates to only lower-grade officers.
Engineer Bob Yousuo (National President, Merchant Navy)
Although two years is not enough to assess him, I will say he has done fairly well. He has touched on some key areas which have been bordering us, especially the high rate of piracy in our waterways through the Deep Blue Project. We are no longer hearing constant news of attacks and piracy on our water, there has been a lot of reduction in piracy. I think I can give him a pass. I also give him kudos for the training of our seafarers by sending them on foreign scholarship for their training. Our maritime institutions have also been uplifted.
The issue we have is that they should look inward in terms of facility and training. Many of our Maritime Academy graduates have no placement or place to do their cadetship. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation should make it a Law to all ship owners to train one or two cadets in a year. Then our cadets will be able to get sea time. They should also look into getting training vessels for our institutions. Seafarers’ welfare should also be improved by implementing the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) with all companies.
Rev. Jonathan Nicole (President, SALS)
With all he has been doing, we can say he has actually tried. I understand that piracy has reduced. We think he should continue with what he is doing. He should also spread his fellowships to other agencies apart from government agencies but interested parties in the system, so that there would be a synergy. We have noticed that accidents on our waterways have reduced especially on the cargo side. With the restrictions placed on barges, we are having fewer accidents.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy, Shipping Zonal Council)
He has done averagely well for the maritime industry. There is no system that is perfect. There could be one or two shortcomings. But overall, looking at the Deep Blue Project, I think we should give him kudos for that. Although there are few flaws as regards the training of Cadets, I would advise that we should look inward more and upgrade our schools. The delay and bureaucracy in the issuance of CoC should also be looked into. Medical charges for seafarers are high and should be looked into, to avoid stress and make it affordable for seafarers. Jamoh has done well but he can do better. We say kudos to him.
McGeorge Onyung (President SOAN)
We should focus more on the laws of NIMASA which have been amended. We should place priority on the three Bills at the National Assembly and not just on performance. Aren’t we supposed to be at the International Maritime Organization (IMO)? But it is quite unfortunate that we are not there yet. This should be looked into by the management of NIMASA.
Engineer Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
Jamoh has been in the system before. The Management of NIMASA under his leadership should influence the government to get us a training vessel for cadets to practice. The training schools for seafarers need to be upgraded to international standard where international students will also attend. This will also help in the high classing of our institutions at the IMO.
Jamoh has tried, but my assessment will be after about three years when I can really decide if he has done well or not. But for now, he is trying. Yes, piracy has gone done but this is also influenced by other international Navies on our waters. He has performed.
Pius Ujubuonu (Clearing Agent)
Although, we only work at the terrestrial aspect of the maritime section and not at the downstream sector as NIMASA, I can say during the period of time he came in, there has been less of issues of piracy. We have also noticed an overlap of duties between the Safety corps of NIMASA and the Navy. I think they now have a joint sea patrol team.
Captain Thomas Kemewerigha
Nothing has happened in the maritime sector. There is nothing different that has happened. We lost at the IMO elections, Certificates are not issued when due, the percentage of success is very low because of the mode of conducting exams at MAN Oron. Nigerian seafarers are still not getting jobs with a high rate of unemployment. So what are we talking about? We have not gotten it right in the industry. We are still where we were.
Kindly like us on Facebook
