We are not against Seafarers Welfare Board - Merchant Navy

Zion Olalekan |

The Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transporters Senior Staff Association has debunked reports making the rounds that it was calling for the removal of chairman of the Seafarers Welfare Board, Otunba Kunle Folarin.

Speaking with our correspondent at the weekend, President of the association, Eng Mathew Alalade commended the board for fighting the course of seafarers in Nigeria. According to him, the board has been going to Port Harcourt and Warri to see to the welfare of seafarers that are not being treated well.

Our correspondent gathered that the Secretary General of the association, Comrade Julius Efforkpo had spoken in the media, calling for the removal of Otunba Folarin for daring to exonerate the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from the plight of seafarers in custody.

Alalade said that the International Trust Fund (ITF) in London has been calling and inquiring if there are differences between the senior staff association and the board.

According to him, “My Secretary General’s intention is not to castigate anybody, it is not that we have any grouse against the seafarers welfare board, we cannot shoot ourselves in the leg.

“The impression came when we went to visit the Ikoyi Prisons and we saw the plight of our people there and later hearing Otunba Folarin saying that NIMASA is not responsible for the plight of the seafarers, this statement really angered the concerned seafarers as to why didn’t NIMASA as custodian of seafarers come out to talk, why is it the board chairman that is talking, this was why we granted the interview, it is not to tarnish anybody image.

“The truth is that the seafarers’ welfare board has trustees and the truth is that Otunba Kunle Folarin and the secretary Kuje, a public servant, has been our friend and helping us. The report has brought a negative impression”.

Alalade said trustees of the seafarers welfare board are trustees for life in which a former NIMASA DG, Ramalan is the Chairman.

“The position is not rotational, it is just like an NGO or a voluntary organisation, they don’t get fund from anywhere, they source for funds, and it is the stakeholders that fund it. Folarin and others are only there to ensure that the board is functioning.

“There are four trustees in the welfare board. The trustees are to ensure that the board never dies. Ramalan is a big politician but Otunba has been going round various prisons where we have seafarers, so if he says NIMASA is not responsible, he is also shooting himself in the leg”, he said.