. MTS worldwide, India support Nigeria’s mission to seafarers’ agenda
. Stakeholders link seamen to sustainable blue economy
By Eniola Idris
Barely 40 years after the Mission To Seafarers went into extinction in Nigeria, stakeholders in maritime sector have mobilised mercenaries to revive the lost glory of the seamen.
Even as the campaign for improved welfare of the seafarers hit the front burner, a new facility has been acquired and currently under reconstruction in Lagos to host the seafarers and fill their leisure time.
Major industry stakeholders, state governors and international actors, who gathered at Mission To Seafarers (MTS), Symposium held in Lagos, said there was need to lift the standard of living of seamen, considering their immense contribution to the global economy.
Chairman, Mission To Seafarers, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, said the seafarers face a lot of challenges on the sea, noting that they are very important to global trade and therefore deserve better treatment.
He said: “During the COVID-19 Pandemic where everywhere was on lockdown, the seafarers were there for us, even the airports were shut, but the seafarers kept working to ensure adequate supply of essential materials and keep the world economy going.”
These wonderful men and women need to be encouraged so that their families can enjoy them and be proud of them.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said there was urgent need for government to address the challenges of developing a virile maritime sector that will boost socioeconomic growth and development for the benefit of the people and regional integration of landlocked countries.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Comisser of Transportation, Fredrick Oladehinde, said the maritime industry is a veritable wealth generation and job creation platform which has continued to benefit many people including seafarers, merchant vessel operators, ship chandilers, import and export cargo brokers among many other available and emerging opportunities.
He said his government has developed initiatives that would ensure the provision of adequate infrastructure and services to enhance maritime trade and transport in Lagos State.
“Indeed, water transport and commercial operations is a major factor in our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda for the growth and development of Lagos economy in the 21 Century,” he said.
Chairman of the event and Governor, Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, said for the maritime industry to thrive, there was need for governments at all levels to simplify the bottlenecks that created challenges.
Akeredolu, who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mrs Oladuni Odu, said: “We must canvass for development of the maritime industry at every forum. We must confront the challenges that the seafarers are facing,”
He said tourism is now contributing significantly to economies of many countries worldwide, urging Nigeria to tap into the inherent opportunities that the water resources present.
Secretary-General, Mission To Seafarers Worldwide, Andrew Wright, applauded Nigeria’s move seeking better welfare for seafarers.
He said: “Seafarers drive the world trade. They control the global economic development, without them, everything will fall apart. If the seafarers were to down tool for a day, you can just imagine what the consequences will be.”
The Indian High Commissioner, represented by the Head of Chancery, Rachit Rawat, said the Mission To Seafarers is a good development, expecially as it would aid the deep blue agenda.
He said Nigeria and India have robust trade relationship adding that more partnership should exist in the maritime sector.
Rawat said both countries have a lot to exchange in a bid to realise potentials of the blue economy.
President, National Association of Master Mariners, Capt. Tajudeen Alao solicited for development of seafarers base located on Marine road, Lagos, adding that this facility will further attract seafarers to Nigeria and buoy the nation’s economy.
Chairperson, Shipowners Forum, Mrs Margret Orakwusi stressed the need to train more youth in seafaring and make more Nigerians own ships.
She lamented that 99.9 percent of cargo freights in Nigeria currently belong to foreigners, “because we do not have ships in Nigeria. We need to refresh this. We need to make Nigerians own ship,” she said.
