Buhari’s re-election: seafarers want quality training for younger generation

Nigerian seafarers have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen the seafarers training institutions in Nigeria to deliver quality replacement for the present crop of ageing seafarers.

Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) said the move would be necessary for the country not to run out of seafarers.

According to the senior cadre of seafarers, the present seafarers in the country are already getting old and there is no provision for replacement of them as there is no quality training for the younger generation of seafarers in the country.

The National President of the group, Engr. Alalade Matthew in a chat with our correspondent lamented the dearth of seafarers in Nigeria.

He however maintained that training seafarers to the highest level might cost the government a lot of money; he said it was worth it if the country would not have to import seafarers from another country in the near future.

“President Buhari should fortify existing maritime institutions in order to upgrade standard to IMO requirements.

“To train a mariner to the Apex/highest position is very expensive. If Seafarers goes to use hard earn fees, it will be difficult to fill the gap of ageing /older ones for he/she will serve outside. Hence upgrade existing institutions and acquire our own national ships.

Alalade called on the federal government to focus on maritime industry by reviewing unpopular policies so as to help develop the sector.

He also advised that the second term should work towards acquisition of vessels for lifting of Nigerian crudes as well as empowerment of indigenous ship owners.

“President Buhari should focus on maritime sector, acquire ships to train our cadets, provide jobs for Nigerians, lift our cargo in with definite ease of doing business and drop unpopular policies on high cost of doing business. thereby diverting shipping trade to neighboring shores.

“Review trade policies as Nigeria can’t afford to be an Island in global community,” he admonished.