Chime lauds NIMASA’s initiative on seaferers development

Stories by PAUL OGBUOKIRI

Enugu state Governor Sulivan Chime has commended the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA for embarking on the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

The Governor, who made the commendation at the South East event which took place at the Presidential Hotel in Enugu was represented by his Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Clement Ogwu,

He described the programme as an effective solution to the problem of unemployment in Nigeria, adding that it will also constructively engage youths from the South Eastern Region of the country According to him, "this NIMASA workshop is very apt and timely. Coming at a time when unemployment has become a disturbing trend in Nigeria. We are very sure that this programme will provide the platform for youth to empower themselves and confine unemployment to the history books in Nigeria"

The Senate Committee Chairman on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze, who declared the event open, urged Nigerian graduates from higher institutions across the country to take advantage of the opportunity offered by NIMASA to empower themselves.

While assuring Nigerians that the legislature will give all required legal backing to ensure that the programme succeeds, Senator Eze challenged universities in the country to explore the nations maritime potentials by establishing departments that will focus on marine training particularly seafaring.

The Minister of State for Water Transportation, Prince John Okechukwu Emeka declared that he has declined to issue any Waiver Certificate under the Cabotage regime because he has observed that all those seeking waivers to operate in the nation’s cabotage trade all have foreign seafarers.

The Minister, whose address was read by his Special Assistant on Technical matters, Mazi Chucks Nzem, noted that the Nigerian seafarers are ageing, adding that it was necessary to build a new and younger pool of Seafarers for the nation..

He also commended the NIMASA Management for coming up with the Awareness Campaign Initiative.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Ade Dosunmu, said that the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme was developed by NIMASA in line with President Yar Adua’s Seven Point Agenda which seeks to promote national development through deliberate focus on key facets of the Nigerian economy.

He stated that the programme was designed to develop a pool of Seafarers to service the demand of domestic and international shipping besides increasing the nation’s skill base by developing a pool of Ship Surveyors who will assist NIMASA in carrying out her Port State Control duties. In his words "the on-going sensitization exercise is a process designed to create a genuine national conciousness on the potentials of the sector and also create equal opportunities for Nigerians."

While disclosing that the Agency is to liais with Nigerian universities to develop the curriculum, the NIMASA DG also disclosed that NIMASA has recived applications from private institutions wishing to work with the Agency in ensuring the success of the programe. Adding that external facilities will only be made use of when it is confirmed that the course is not available in the existing local structures.

Under the NSDP, NIMASA will work closely with State Governments across the country to select qualified students to be sponsored for the training.

The next phase of the National Seafarers Development sensitization programme is scheduled to take place in Minna, the Niger state capital on the 14th of October 2008