By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has signed a training agreement with the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ship Management Limited (NSML) to facilitate Certificate of Competency (CoC) examinations for beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP), thus boosting the marine and blue economy sector of the country.
The NSDP is a sponsored intervention programme being implemented by NIMASA to grow capacity of young Nigerians to be certified as seafarers with global recognition and acceptance, thus bridging the gap in the dearth of seafarers globally.
The CoC examination is the final stage of the NSDP training, culminating in the acquisition of the CoC license, which potentially opens the doors of global employment opportunities for the cadets.
Speaking at an induction ceremony by NSML for 50 of NIMASA’s Romanian trained NSDP beneficiaries, NIMASA Director General, Dr Bashir Jamoh, highlighted the success of the collaboration between both parties in fostering the development of Nigerian seafarers.
Jamoh, who was represented by the Director Special Duties in the Ministry, Isichei Osamgbi, lauded NSML for supporting the development of seafarers and the promotion of Nigeria’s local content onboard their vessels.
He said: “It is worthy of note that a good number of NSDP Officers trained onboard NSML vessels are now employed by the company.
“Today, we are proud to announce that 150 Romanian-trained NSDP cadets have concluded their mandatory onboard sea training and are ready to proceed for the Certificate of Competency (CoC) training and examinations.
“The signing of this training agreement between both parties resulting in the commencement of CoC for the first batch of Romanian-trained cadets will go a long way in ensuring all backlogs of cadets awaiting CoCs are cleared.”
On his part, the Managing Director of NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, said the organisation is sponsoring 50 of the cadets to the South Shield Marine School in the UK on a 12-month programme to get their Certificates of Competency.
He stated that the aimed is to address the dearth of Nigerian seafarers on ocean going vessels and the need to meet indigenous manning requirements under the nation’s Cabotage Law.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, charged the beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
Ajani, who was represented by Mrs. Ekanem Saila, a Deputy Director in the ministry, noted that the collaboration between NIMASA and NSML was a welcome development and the outcome of discussions that have been on for some time.