The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of the Seafarer with a call on stakeholders to enhance the living and working conditions of seafarers.
In a welcome address at the event, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside described the seafaring profession as indispensable stating that seafarers are the unsung heroes that ensure that the wheel of global commerce keeps rolling.
He said that it was important for humanity to understand and appreciate what seafarers endure at sea in harsh and turbulent waters at even personal danger to their lives just to make sure that goods and services get to their destinations safely.
“Today, presents a rare opportunity for the world to celebrate the Seafarer who is rarely acknowledged as the core component in the development of global shipping, perhaps the reason the IMO has its theme for this year’s celebration as ‘At Sea for All’. On our part as NIMASA, we will continue to enforce the relevant provisions of international instruments to protect and improve the working and living conditions of seafarers” the DG assured.
Dr. Peterside who was represented by the Agency’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Ibrahim Jibril also hinted that the Agency has identified five critical areas in repositioning the sector for greater efficiency of which welfare and capacity building are critical parts in ensuring the desired growth in the sector.
The NIMASA helmsman used the opportunity to call on all maritime stakeholders to identify with the theme of this year’s Day of the Seafarer campaign by appreciating the invaluable contribution of seafarers to our wellbeing.
Speakers at the event who appreciated the work of seafarers also called on relevant authorities and NIMASA in particular to enforce the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and Decent Work Agenda both aimed at improving the wellbeing of seafarers.
The International Day of the Seafarer is a day set aside by the International Maritime Organisation to celebrate the seafarer and show appreciation for their work that is indispensable to global commerce.
