UN Seafarers Day – Mariners Flay Members’ Shortfall

John Iwori

24 June 2011

Master mariners in the country have decried the declining number of qualified seafarers in the maritime sector of the economy.

The mariners who spoke to newsmen expressed dismay that the declining number of seafarers in the country have impacted negatively on the sustainable development of the economy.

The master mariners spoke against the backdrop of the activities lined up to mark the United Nations (UN) Seafarers Day slated for June 25, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

Former President, Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Adewale Ishola, particularly flayed the drastic shortfall of Merchant Navy and seafarers in the country.

Ishola noted that the world global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has over the years stated that people should go to sea because of the enormous potentials, the opportunities as well as the international experiences. “We are quite aware of huge job creation which the profession of seafaring could give”, he said.

He recalled that the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has started by sensitizing the state governments on the need to send their indigenes to sea.

He said the Nigerian seafarers were happy that the UN had declared June 25 as a Day of Seafarers, even as he added that Nigeria should not be left behind as all maritime nations would celebrate and participate fully in the Seafarers Day.

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