The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokem has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for taking NIMASA to an enviable position.
Mr. Akpobolokemi dropped the hint in his welcome address delivered at a one day sensitization programme for shipowners, seafarers employers, manning agents and seafarers on Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Barr. Callitus Nwabueze Obi, NIMASA boss commended President Jonathan in supporting the agency.
He posited that Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa to have ratified the convention (MLC) 2006. NIMASA Boss further explained that MLC 2006 is also known as the “Bill of Right”, noting that the agency has committed huge financial resources towards training of cadet officers through various programmes.
The CEO stated that about 700 seafarers have so far been trained while promising Nigerian seafarers to get placement on both Nigeria and foreign vessels.
The union chairman Seafarers Bonny, Comrade Boggy Ephraim Pepple in an interview with journalists said the seafarers union is neglected by the multinational companies as NLNG in harbouring other shipping companies by bringing OTS workers to perform contrary to the law.
Comrade Pepple stated that the company refusal to partner with them negate growth and stability in the business. He blamed companies who bring workers through the backdoor for employment thereby neglecting the proper procedure for employment.
The union chairman charged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to prove that they are the custodian of the sea by ensuring standard at all times.
“NLNG does not mean well for us, they have decided to neglect us over the years and we don’t want to put the law into our hands” he said.
Also speaking, the Traffic Comptroller Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Izan Y.G commended NIMASA for the sensitization which has exposed him to greater understanding of maritime issues, while calling on the agency to continue such programme from time to time.###
