By Olubunmi Isokpehi
In a bid to streamline and harmonious the activities of dockworkers, seafarers and other critical stakeholders, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has set in motion Maritime Labour E-Platform.
This information was disclosed by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, at the flag off ceremony in Lagos.
Jamoh said, “The Maritime Labour E-platform is in furtherance of the Agency’s mandate for the registration and regulation of every Dockworker, Seafarer, Stevedoring company, Seafarer employer, Jetty, Terminal operators and Offshore Platforms or Terminals.”
His words: “The E-platform was conceived out of the need to establish an independent, robust, integrated information, verification and communication platform that will serve as system database generation on Maritime Labour. ”
He added that it will also serve as a source of statistical data and analytics for National Planning, Policy Making, Training Capacity Building and Research.
Speaking further, the DG said, “I particularly delighted about the prospect of eliminating the time consuming process of seafarers and employers’ registration which is what the E-Platform would provide.”
He added, “It’s further expected that the E-Platform will promote a seamless registration process that will culminate into the issuance of biometric identity cards to seafarers and Dockworkers.”
He reassured that, “The Maritime Labour Employers on the other hand can conveniently complete their registration process from the comfort of their offices without necessarily visiting the Agency’s Office.”
However, he called, “All our our esteemed Stakeholders including seafarer employers, Manning agents, Terminal operators, Dock labour employers, Seafarers and Dockworkers to ensure that the platform is put into good use while avoiding practices that will expose it to the manipulations of online scammers.”
The DG reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment towards actualizing its mandate as provided in the enabling Act. saying, “Our resolve to make life meaningful to the entire Maritime Labour remains firm and we intend to achieve this through sustainable efforts in capacity building and improved welfare.”
He posited,. “The Agency is also prioritizing the training of Nigeria seafarers to meet industry needs with emphasis on specialized and advanced trainings.”
Adding, “The Agency’s ongoing collaboration with various Government Agencies is aimed at creating jobs for seafarers and the E- platform would provide the required data for seafarers training, certification and placement onboard vessels.”
