LAGOS, NOVEMBER 28, 2018 – Some shipping companies operating in Nigeria are now engaging seamen with fake certificates as master mariners.
It was also learnt that both the government agencies and private companies were patronising the fake mariners and hold them in high esteem.
Worried by the new trend, Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has initiated measures to halt the employment of unqualified foreigners by some companies as master mariners in the country.
The association said that any foreigner seeking employment in the country as a master mariner must be registered with the association.
Besides, it said such a seafarer must secure clearance after evaluation of his competence and qualification.
At the launch of the certification of its members and issuance of identification cards, President of the Association, Captain Tajudeen Alao, said in Lagos that before any master mariner could be allowed to operate within Nigeria’s coastal waters, such a person must come under a test to ascertain his or her competence.
He decried dearth of master mariners in the country when compared to the nation’s population.
He noted that the number of master mariners in the country was not enough to service the industry.
The president lamented that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) did not have a single master mariner on its payroll.
He explained: “These are professionals that are supposed to chart a course for that agency. We are the last batch of Nigerian sailors who had the opportunity of going round the world on Nigerian flagged vessels. If you come into Nigeria as a master mariner, you must come and get cleared by the local master mariners on ground, get registered before you can practice.”
Also, the first President of the association, Captain Augustine Olugbode, said that Nigeria was losing so much by not harnessing its maritime potential.
He noted that master mariners were in the best position to give government good counsel on maritime issues.
Olugbode explained: “The maritime aspect of some countries in the world is their major source of revenue. This country has been drawn back over the years because of the fact that the maritime industry has been neglected.’’
