Stakeholder joins call for sack of Folarin, Kuje from NSWBN

Tayo Oladipupo |

Another critical stakeholder in seafaring unit in the shipping subsector of the maritime industry has supported the call by groups of seafarers for the sack of Otunba Kunle Folarin and Hosea Kuje as chairman and secretary of the National Seafarers Welfare Board of Nigeria (NSWBN).

The pioneer Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers, Reverend Mike Gbadebo added his voice to the call for the stepping aside of the duo in a chat yesterday saying they have made no impact on the seafarers.

Gbadebo therefore stated that the duo should give way for younger generations to take over the seats.

Recall that the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association and Concerned Seafarers Group had called for the stepping down of the board chairman and secretary who they alleged had occupied the posts since the establishment of the board.

Secretary General of NMNOWTSSA, Comrade Julius Eforkpor in a recent chat, told newsmen that the duo were exhibiting “sit tight syndrome” adding that the constitution did not allow people to be life president or chairman of the board.

He also lampooned the secretary of the NSWBN, Hosea Kuje, who is currently an Assistant Director with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), saying such position is designated for Chief Labour Officer from the unions and not someone occupying a high position as his.

But in a firm support to the seafarers’ request, Reverend Gbadebo in a chat with our correspondent reiterated that key positions of the board are expected to be rotated between various recognised groups.

Highlighting some of the groups that are supposed to occupy the positions, the cleric explained that the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Senior Staff Association and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), are supposed to occupy key positions in the board.

Other institutions according to him include the Mission To Seafarers, Government Representatives and Shipping firms.

While lamenting on the NSWBN overhaul, the former Mission To Seafarers representative, maintained that the board was a creation of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), adding that the board executives have stayed in office more than a decade, which is inappropriate.

Gbadebo noted that “l am speaking in the capacity of a pioneer member and even the convener of the first meeting in Apapa which culminated into the board at the premises of defunct JOMALIC in lkoyi.

“I m 100 per cent in support of the stepping aside of the two figures mentioned.

“Let them tell the seafarers what they have achieved since their inauguration during the time of defunct JOMALIC headed by Mr Ramalan.

“Instead of promoting welfare they see the body as an avenue to promote themselves, personal aggrandizement and irrelevant and incessant and unnecessary global trips; In fact their removal is long overdue.

“The key officers in the board are expected to be rotated among various recognised groups namely. Union, Mission, Govt rep, and shipping.

He further quizzed that “How come one of a group which during the time of inauguration represented government block (JOMALIC) stays in office more than a decade remains a misery?

Speaking further the Reverend added that” The board is a creation of ITF via West Africa Seafarers Welfare Committee and Other countries like Ghana, Cote d Voire and Togo had benefited from this arrangement but what have we gained than several global trips by our sit tight officers”.