NIMASA ignores alert over displacement of Nigerians by Chinese on board Cabotage Vessel. 

Nigerian seafarers under the aegis of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association and the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN)  have decried how Nigerian sailors were sacked and replaced by Chinese nationals on Nigerian territorial waters.

In a letter jointly written by the two unions, they narrated how 300 Nigerian crew members were replaced at the ongoing Dangote Refinery at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, affirming that all Nigerians onboard all the vessels were sacked and replaced.

In the letter written to NIMASA, the unions demand that the apex maritime agency take prompt action to address the issue.

The letter stated, “We (Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN))  as a matter of urgency, wish to meet with you on Tuesday the 15‘“ Jan, 2019 to discuss the following burning issues as they affect the maritime sector and proffer solutions (Way forward).

According to the letter which is seeking for a meeting with NIMASA management, added that the issue of Influx of Chinese Seafarers into nations maritime industry is not in conformity with the nation’s  Cabotage Act,

The unions are worried that despite informing NIMASA for the past five months, no action has been taken to address the situation, adding that the presence of the Chinese nationals on Nigerian waters  send a wrong signal to international community.

According to a letter signed by the Secretaries of the two unions; namely Comrade Julius Efokpor and Felix Akingboye stated that the influx of the foreign seamen contravene the cabotage act of 2003.

They called on the apex  maritime regulatory agency to revisit the situation and take quick action to ensure strict compliance to the cabotage law.

The statement noted “Our attention has been drawn to the above subject matter in contravention of the Cabotage Act. 2003.

“All Nigerians onboard the HYSY698 were sacked as we are also informed that the vessel HYSY698 managers said they did not need any Nigerian to work with them.

“The vessel was detained by NIMASA for failing to comply with the manning requirement of the Cabotage law and was later released after 3 days which is not acceptable. Please, we are open for meeting.

“All Nigerians onboard the HYSYc698 were sacked as we are also informed that the vessel HYSY698 managers said they do not need any Nigerian to work with them.

“The vessel was detained by NIMASA for failing to comply with the manning requirement of the Cabotage law and was later released after 3 days which is not acceptable. Please, we are open for meeting.

“The vessels are already at the worksite to commence Operation soon. Like wild fire In the harmattan, which can do nobody any good, we are informed that the owners and agents of the vessels refused to work with Nigerians onboard, rather they already have full crew of Chinese Seafarers from the Master of the vessels to the least man onboard.

“Information at our disposal reveals that the Dangote Refinery Project at Lekki, Lagos shall be deploying  two AHTS and lay barge for its use.

“The vessels will be used for installation of Pipelines, SBM and etc.

“The AHTS have minimum crew compliment of 22 each and the Lay Barge Is to carry 200 staff strength onboard.

“With their back to back, the total work force would be 500 personnel approximately and the duration of the contract is 2 years plus.

“The Management Company for the vessel is Anglo Eastern Ship Management and owners of the vessel are CCCEC China.

When contacted on phone over the development, the Head, Corporate Communication of NIMASA, Isichie Osamgbi who asked our correspondent to send a text message to him did not respond to the text as at the time of filing this report.