NIMASA , MISSION TO SEAFARERS, COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE WELLBEING OF SEAFARERS
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerian seafarers through closer collaboration with the Mission to Seafarers (MtS).
The commitment was made by the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, OON, and the Regional Director of Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
Representing the Director-General, Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, said the Agency would continue to implement policies and initiatives that enhance the welfare and professional development of Nigerian seafarers.
He stated that NIMASA remains committed to improving seafarers’ welfare through enhanced certification processes, capacity development and policies that promote their wellbeing and career advancement.
“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders such as the Mission to Seafarers to ensure that seafarers receive the support they deserve both at sea and in port,” Adeyemi said.
Earlier, Chief Sarumi commended NIMASA’s ongoing reforms in the maritime sector and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between both organisations would further improve the welfare of maritime professionals in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Reverend Rautenbach explained that although the Mission to Seafarers and the Port Welfare Committee share the common objective of improving seafarers’ welfare, they operate under distinct but complementary mandates. He stressed that greater collaboration among stakeholders would strengthen support systems for seafarers calling at Nigerian ports.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both organisations to discuss issues relating to seafarers’ welfare, decent working conditions and other areas of mutual collaboration aimed at strengthening welfare support services across Nigeria’s maritime sector.
NIMASA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian seafarers through sustained stakeholder engagement, strengthened regulatory oversight and policies aligned with international best practices and the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.