Seafarers Union under the aegis of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has harped on the need for Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA to strengthen its enforcement on cabotage act , saying that much has not been achieved in furtherance to better the lots of Nigerian seafarers.
The Trade Union Congress TUC affiliate union , expressed worries over foreign dominance and disparity of indigenous seafarers despite trading in Nigerian waters with the same Certificate of Competence (CoC) .
National President of the union, Comrade Bob Yousou who made this known in a statement issued to commemorate World Maritime Day celebration,urged NIMASA to engage members of the union to carry out effective enforcement that will yield positive result in achieving the cabotage act mandates.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General of the union , Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue, the President said, foreign dominance still persist in the nation’s coastal water adding that issues of low and unpaid salaries by ship owners are some of the challenges faced by
seafarers.
He said if they collaborate, it would further improve the effectiveness of the cabotage act against the background of the laxity.
He however called on shipowners, to treat seafarers fairly with their foreign counterparts in line with international best practices and standards.
“We are calling on ship owners not to disrespect the Indigenous seafarers against their foreign counterparts because seafarers are the future of the shipping industry.
“This is world maritime day and we advice the ship owners not to assign their responsibilities to manning agents because according to the MLC 2006 convention, as amended by manning agents take instructions from the shipowners.
” The manning agent is only a representative of the principal hence they only take instructions from the ship owners. They can’t be autonomous.
“Seafarers deserved to be treated like Kings as they facilitate about 90% of the world trade.”
The union President also harped on the need for ship owners to ensure that seafarers pay as at when due with the required benefits reached by all parties involved.
He also urged the government to ratify and domesticate all relevant treaties and conventions associated with the maritime sector thus the betterment of seafarers.
Engr. Yousouis also perturbed about the wide gap in salary structure of local and foreign seafarers despite doing the same job or duties adding that they obtain same qualifications, work aboard vessel and are not treated equally.
He urged government regulatory agencies to beam their searchlight on this area by striking a balance on how best to prioritize Indigenous seamen.
The union leader said ” We want NIMASA to also help treat issues or reports about I’ll treatment metted on seafarers with seriousness . We are not against NIMASA in anyway but to advise them on the need to address issues affecting seafarers once such cases are reported to their office.
On the part of the seafarers, the union boss called on unregistered sailors to register with TUC affiliate group noting that their challenges is paramount to the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association in tackling.
However, he advocated for seafarers to work in harmony aimed at achieving set goals to better their lots and the profession.
On the fishing sub sector of maritime sector, Engr. Yousou urged members of Nigeria Trawler Owners (NITOA) to improve on the welfare of sailors, calling on the government to rectify convention 188F and other fishing conventions.
He said, the marine ecosystem needs some level of cleanlinessness , saying dirt and other wastages are dominant in the marine space .