NIMASA TO REPLACE FOREIGN SEAFARERS WITH THEIR LOCAL COUNTERPARTS WITHIN Nation’s INLAND COASTAL TRADE -MOBEREOLA

NIMASA TO REPLACE FOREIGN SEAFARERS WITH THEIR LOCAL COUNTERPARTS WITHIN Nation’s INLAND COASTAL TRADE -MOBEREOLA

The federal government has set a date to replace foreign seafarers with their local counterparts within the nation’s inland coastal trade.

Speaking during the celebration of the 2024 Seafarers Day in Lagos the DG NIMASA, Dr. Mobereola had reportedly announced plans to replace foreign Seafarers with indigenous Seafarers on board ships operating within the nation’s Cabotage waters with the introduction of a New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning.

Apparently and genuinely concerned about the fate of the nation’s unlucky seafarers and desirous of stemming their continued plight, Mobereola  said this government has set in motion through the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning, a process that will pave the way for the elimination of foreign seafarers, to be replaced with indigenous seafarers.

While affirming the desire of the government of the day to recreating the nation’s huge seafarers space with job opportunities, Mobereola said a middle-of-the-road course has been designed through Cabotage Trade crew replacement strategy.

His words: “In the area of employment of Seafarers, the Agency through the introduction of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning has ensured that all foreign Seafarer Ratings and some category of officers onboard Cabotage Vessels are immediately replaced with qualified Nigerian Seafarers.

“There are opportunities for Nigerian trained Seafarers in the Cabotage Regime, the Liquefied Natural Gas and Brass LNG Projects, expansion of the NLNG trains, and the Olokola Gas Project to mention but a few.

“We therefore need to do more to showcase the importance of seafaring and also attract our youths including females to consider a career in seafaring. Mindful that we should aim at well-trained and educated officers capable of ensuring safe operation of vessels, Nigeria has the young population to compete with other countries whose Seafarers contribute immensely to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“This is why today, the Agency is investing in training and capacity-building programs to enhance Seafarers’ skills, welfare, and employment opportunities. The Third phase of the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development program aims to graduate 435 officers. Many trainees are currently undergoing mandatory sea time training on board ocean-going vessels. The challenge lies in securing placements for these qualified seafarers, but we are working to resolve this issue.”

He further stateted that “The Agency is exploring avenues to create jobs for our seafarers, including collaborating with government agencies like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

“Soon, certain positions such as Ratings and Officer of the Watch will be designated as “no longer available” for foreign Seafarers to occupy. However, some other positions may be considered based on merit for foreigners to occupy.

“Let me inform this esteemed gathering, that the Agency is working tirelessly to strengthen its legal framework by domesticating all Maritime Labour related ILO Conventions ratified by Nigeria. These conventions include the Maritime Labour Conventions (MLC) 2006 as amended, the Seafarers Identity Document (SID) Convention as amended, and the Dock Work Convention.”