Seafarers seek collaboration with Navy to flush out impersonators, illegal maritime school operators.

The National President of the association, Engr.Matthew  Alalade made the call on Thursday during a working visit to the Western Naval Command (WNC) headquarters in Lagos.

He appealed to the Naval Officers to help nip the activities of illegal organisations who refer to themselves as Merchant Navy Officers but use the name to carry out illegal deals.

Alalade who was accompanied by other executives of the Association disclosed that there are  unregistered schools that teach nautical subjects but were not registered as maritime training institutions.

He therefore called on the Navy to help flush out the illegal schools. He appealed for the assistance of the Navy to enable the association carry out its function effectively.

He said, “We plead that you help us to flush out people who are illegal Merchant Navy officers who use the name of the association to carry out illegalities.

“We are an organisation backed up by laws of the land and well recognised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

“We have written several letters to the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, National Security Adviser and other relevant security agencies but nothing was done,” he stated.

He added that the association would cooperate with the Navy to make its job effective.

Responding, the FOX, Rear Admiral O B Dija charged the body to brace up to make sure that such illegal schools are reported to the appropriate authorities.

He maintained that such schools would end up dishing out teachings that will  make their students half baked and unemployable