Hope Rises for Nigerian Seafarers as NIMASA Sign-Off on 2022 Certificates of Competency
Dr Bashir Jamoh, Director General of NIMASA
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Bashir Jamoh has signed off on the Certificate of Competency (CoC) of Nigerian seafarers for the year 2022.
Dr Jamoh who announced this on Wednesday stressed that the agency is now effecting it’s policy on Reciprocity on matters of Certificate of Competency, implying that any country that fails to recognize Nigeria COC, such actions would be reciprocated by Nigeria.
DAILY TREND recalls that Nigerian seafarers have over the years expressed worry over the continued rejection of the CoC issued by NIMASA globally, stressing the need for urgent government intervention to find a solution to the problem.
But while signing off on the 2022 certificates, Dr Jamoh said this would be a thing of the past, even as he assured Nigerian Seafarers of adequate placement onboard vessels.
He said “With NIMASA’s Policy of Reciprocity on matters of Certificate of Competency, Nigeria is taking a stand with our seafarers and making it clear that we shall not allow our products to be undermined & underpaid onboard vessels of ours and other flags. Signing off on this year’s COCs”
Recall that in May 2022 while receiving Chairman of Starz Group in Lagos, Dr Jamoh had stated that NIMASA is providing the required regulations to ensure that certificates earned from Institutes in Nigeria are recognized globally.
“When we are satisfied that all requirements have been met, we will then adopt the reciprocity rule in recognition of certificates. NIMASA will not recognize the Certificates issued by Maritime Administrations of Non-friendly nations whose decision not to recognize certificates issued in Nigeria are unjustifiable,” he said.
In July 2022, President of the Merchant Navy Union in Nigeria, Eng Bob Youso had called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to conduct an inspection and prove that Nigeria is due to have unlimited certificates, as most of the certificates the nation’s seafarers have are the NCV (Near Coastal Voyage), which is limiting them to be recognised globally.
Yousuo urged NIMASA to have bilateral agreements with other maritime nations to recognise the CoC issued by Nigeria and reverse the worrisome trend.
I recommend Dr Jamoh for signing off on the 2022 certificate of Competency of Seafarers, Sir please also to bring to your notice that the same action should please be applicable to the Electro Technical Officers (Electricians) CoC because as it’s now the NIMASA doesn’t have a CoC for the Nigerians Electricians except that of Trade Test CoC which many companies do not recognise.
Thank you.
I really commended Dr. Jimoh on this initiative, please you always need to look into what the seafarers are asking for to remove the NCV from the certificate been issued. Also, recognizing it worldwide will benefit Nigerian seafarers. Also, the Nigerians seafarers are under paid compare with there colleagues worldwide. Job security it’s another issue, companies treat seafarers like trash.
I suggests the NIMASA register the marine Enginers as a cooperate body to avoid assault just as COREN is basically concern on civil, chemical and Mechanical Enginers