Groups accuse Seafarers’ board chairman, secretary of sit tight syndrome

A group of mariners under the auspices of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) and Concerned Seafarers have called on the Chairman, National Seafarers Welfare Board of Nigeria (NSWBN), Otunba Kunle Folarin and his Secretary, Hosea Kuje to step from their positions in the board having been there for over a decade.

Member of the groups who spoke with newsmen lamented that the duo have been at the helms of affairs since the board establishment in Nigeria adding that much has not been achieved under their leadership in the last one decade.

Secretary General of the union, Comrade Julius Eforkpor described their actions as the usual “African sit tight syndrome” adding that the constitution did not allow people to be life president or chairman of the board.

Eforkpor reiterated that “Each time members of the board request for replacement, then you are in for a war with people who are there.”

The scribe recalled how the board Chairman had a brawl with a former national president of the union, Captain Thomas Kemewerigha over issue of long stay in office, noting that the board would perform better only when there is leadership rotation.

He further stated that the position of the board Secretary is supposed to be occupied by a chief labour officer but Kuje who is presently an Assistant Director in Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is occupying the position.

This according to him, is against the provisions of the law setting up the board.

He said, “There is need for the unbundling of the seafarers welfare board executive but one thing we have come to realise is the board chairman is outspoken, vast in maritime activities and a good sense of board activities. If you are new to the board, you will look at him as a god”

Asked if there is any replacement if the board chairman eventually takes a bow, the union secretary maintained that “There are replacement everywhere because he was not born into it”, saying” anybody in the system can be Chairman of the board. ”

He added that the board had been responsive in the last ten years but added that the current executives should step down.