Headlines
FG seeks adequate training and opportunities for Nigerian seamen

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian cadets undergo adequate sea time training to enable them to become gainfully employed in the nation’s shipping sector.
According to him, the NSDP programme sponsored by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has over 7,000 seafarers on the Nigerian Seafarers Register, and more attention would be given to seafarers’ specialised training to enable them to perform expert tasks in their various fields of engagement onboard vessels.
“Seafaring has evolved over the years from apprenticeship to specialised and rigorous nautical education, necessitated by digitalisation and the development of modern, technologically advanced vessels.
“The world is in short supply of qualified seafarers today and the rapid rise in digital technology and automation mean that one of the world’s oldest professions is set to change more in the next couple of years,” he said.
Bashir Jamoh, Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said the agency would continue to pay priority attention to the capacity development and employment of Nigerian seafarers.
He said NIMASA has introduced Seafarers Identity Documents (SID) registration portal and other e-platform for dockworkers and their employers to ease the registration and verification process in line with international best practices.
He assured the nation’s maritime community that Nigerian seafarers will remain at the core of all of the agency’s policy and decision-making in all matters of shipping.
According to him, the role of NIMASA as a regulatory agency is to ensure Nigerian seafarers are treated fairly by shipowners and employers through the implementation of approved conditions of service and collective bargaining agreements.
Tajudeen Alao, a foremost master mariner, pleaded with the Federal Government to bring back the proceeds of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds (CVFF) to enable Nigerian ship owners to either get or charter standard vessels that can employ Nigerian seafarers.
“We have cargoes without ships and Nigeria cannot become a maritime hub without bunker ships,” he said.
“If the government can give us more ships, we will be able to support more seafarers by training them, giving them sea time opportunity and better employment,” said McGeorge Onyung, president of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).
Headlines
Aftermath of Adeyanju’s exit, crisis resurfaces in MWUN

Headlines
NIMASA embarks on digital revolution to plug revenue leakages, enhance optimum operations

— spurns smear campaign against the process
“To set the records straight, following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue ensure funds due government does not end up in private hands.
“A pivotal innovation in this regard is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS).
“The additional recipients targeted are, waste reception services, a routine operation for both domestic and international vessels have traditionally lacked proper tracking, resulting in unmonitored activities and significant revenue losses.
“Marine pollution control, another critical area of NIMASA’s mandate, has similarly been constrained by limited digital tools. In the absence of satellite tracking and automated reporting, pollution events often go unnoticed or are reported too late to mitigate their impact.
“It is important to emphasize that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the Agency mainly stemmed from outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms which allowed some external elements to capitalize on the loopholes for personal gains .
“The current reforms being implemented by NIMASA are focused squarely on overcoming these limitations.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading reports and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey as it aligns with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.
“It is worthy of note that the Deep Blue Project of the Agency which now enjoys global recognition also witnessed such resistance at the initial stage” the agency noted.
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