FG set to prioritise seafarers’ welfare

The Federal Government on Friday expressed commitment to enhance the welfare of seafarers in Nigeria.

The Minister of  Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said this during a Zoom meeting organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to mark the world’s Seafarers Day 2021.

The move, he added, is part of efforts to support the seafarers in global trade.

Amaechi also assured of the government’s intent to provide better living conditions for seafarers, in support of the commendable work they do.

Whilst urging that NIMASA explores strategies to make the initiative a reality, the minister recalled that Nigeria was one of the first International Maritime Organisation nations to declare seafarers as essential workers amid restrictions at the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.

He also described the recently launched Deep Blue project as a commitment to ensure seafarers carry out their work in a safe and secure environment.

Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport,  Danjuma Goje, pledged the support of the legislative chamber to make policies to enhance welfare of seafarers.

“Every right-thinking person can’t downplay or neglect the role of seafarers, and importance of your welfare. Those at the helm of maritime agencies understand this, which explains the essence of this event. We will continue to promote laws that uplift the welfare of seafarers and support you from the legislative chamber.”

On his part, the Chairman, Nigerian Seafarers Welfare Development Board, Kunle Folarin, noted the urgent need to have more quality training institutions for seafarers in the country.

Folarin harped on the need to address the undue differences in wages, lamenting that Nigerian-trained seafarers earn less than their counterparts trained in foreign institutions, including those trained in neighbouring West African countries.

Stating that a high number of Nigerian seafarers had ended up in prisons, he therefore called for an improvement in the recruitment process of seafarers to curb the unfortunate trend.

Health care and welfare of seafarers are also top priority, Folarin stressed, adding that several seafarers have been victims of depression and suicides.

“Continuous training is also important with evolving technology in seafaring. There are few training institutions in the country; we need to create more.

“With the size of Nigerian trade, we should be encouraged to invest more in seafarers’ development and aim to supply the world like the Philippines,” he said.

Folarin added that “for over 100 years, seafarers have been serving this nation, so they deserve the commendation and welfare we are talking about today.”

The President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr. Mkgeorge Onyung, described seafarers as valuable assets to the world and children of shipowners.

“We can’t sleep when we learn that a seafarer has been kidnapped or involved in an incident at sea. We do all we can to pay the ransom and get them back home because we treat them as our children,” Onyung said.

He, however, expressed delight that the Deep Blue Project would address the incidences of hijack and piracy.

Anozie Egole
Anozie Egole
Anozie Egole is a Transport correspondent. He reports Maritime, Aviation and Rail/Road Transport for Financial Street.

Get in Touch

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles