Experts Faults Mobereola On Crew Replacement Via Improvised Cabotage Manning   

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Reactions have begun to trail the proposal by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over plans by the the federal government to replace foreign seafarers with their local counterparts within the nation’s inland coastal trade.

The statement credted to the NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola has drawn experts and stakeholders responses, puncturing holes in his declaration and which suggests that the statement is tantamount to mere political  posturing to divert attention from the agency’s  seeming lack of capacity to give hope to the legions of Nigerian seafarers roaming the streets without jobs.

According to experts, the proposed crew replacement may end up mere political expression and empty wishes which cannot stand up to the rigours of occupational and legal hurdles.

The NIMASA DG while speaking during the celebration of the 2024 Seafarers Day in Lagos Tuesday, hadreportedly announced plans to replace foreign Seafarers with indigenous Seafarers onboard ships operating within the nation’s Cabotage waters with the introduction of a New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning.

Apparently and genuinely concerned about the fate of the nation’s unlucky seafarers and desirous of stemming their continued plight, Mobereola  said this government has set in motion through the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning, a process that will pave the way for the elimination of foreign seafarers, to be replaced with indigenous seafarers.

While affirming the desire of the government of the day to recreating the nation’s huge seafarers space with job opportunities, Mobereola said a middle-of-the-road course has been designed through Cabotage Trade crew replacement strategy.

His words: “In the area of employment of Seafarers, the Agency through the introduction of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning has ensured that all foreign Seafarer Ratings and some category of officers onboard Cabotage Vessels are immediately replaced with qualified Nigerian Seafarers.

“There are opportunities for Nigerian trained Seafarers in the Cabotage Regime, the Liquefied Natural Gas and Brass LNG Projects, expansion of the NLNG trains, and the Olokola Gas Project to mention but a few.

“We therefore need to do more to showcase the importance of seafaring and also attract our youths including females to consider a career in seafaring. Mindful that we should aim at well-trained and educated officers capable of ensuring safe operation of vessels, Nigeria has the young population to compete with other countries whose Seafarers contribute immensely to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“This is why today, the Agency is investing in training and capacity-building programs to enhance Seafarers’ skills, welfare, and employment opportunities. The Third phase of the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development program aims to graduate 435 officers. Many trainees are currently undergoing mandatory sea time training on board ocean-going vessels. The challenge lies in securing placements for these qualified seafarers, but we are working to resolve this issue.”

He continued: “The Agency is exploring avenues to create jobs for our seafarers, including collaborating with government agencies like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

“Soon, certain positions such as Ratings and Officer of the Watch will be designated as “no longer available” for foreign Seafarers to occupy. However, some other positions may be considered based on merit for foreigners to occupy.

“Let me inform this esteemed gathering, that the Agency is working tirelessly to strengthen its legal framework by domesticating all Maritime Labour related ILO Conventions ratified by Nigeria. These conventions include the Maritime Labour Conventions (MLC) 2006 as amended, the Seafarers Identity Document (SID) Convention as amended, and the Dock Work Convention.”

Meanwhile, conscientious and forward looking maritime expert, Captain Warredi Enuisoh says whereas the proposed crew replacement appears awesome, he however expressed doubt in the smooth sail of the said plan, noting that it would affect critical trade dynamics that will make such plan unrealizable.

According to Enuisoh, the proposed crew replacement can only be achievable under three conditions, which he said includes Nigerians seafarers with foreign certificates being recognised by the flag state of the ship, the Nigerian Certificate of Competency being recognised also by the flag state of the ship; and thirdly, that the ships in question are flying Nigerian flag.

He said above requirements alone qualifies Nigerian Certificate holders to aspire to the proposed crew rejig without issues.

He however expressed doubt that should the plan be hinged on locally trained seafarers, the chances are slimmer and makes the proposal controversial.

“Not many big flags such as Singapore, UK etc do recognise Nigerian certificates” he said, and wish that the DG NIMASA is made aware of the true position of things.

“He should try as much as possible to use his tenure to rectify this, or else the Nigerian seafarer has no place in international shipping.”

Also reacting, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao said that whereas the said plan looks good, the reality on ground may prove a little uphill in view of pertinent issues.

In particular, Alao lamented that the greatest obstacle which includes methodology and funding are both scare resources.

“The Law backing their intention is there but the methodologies to achieve it. The financing agreement of those ships needs to be studied”, adding:

“The support for Officers and Crew to acquire relevant Training and Certification to be able to man the Assets must be available. There are short contracts where change of crew is not practicable.”