L-R: Chairman, Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers (MtS) Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, OON; Regional Director, Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach; Dr. Mrs Yetunde Akinluyi; Executive Director Operation, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA Engr. Fatai Adeyemi; and Executive Director, Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, Barr. Funmi Folorunsho and Deputy Director Maritime Labour Services, NIMASA, Hajia Hadiza Maina; during a courtesy visit by the Chairman, Management Committee, Mission to Seafarers, Lagos to the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos.
Ogunrinde Tosin
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare, safety and professional development of Nigerian seafarers through stronger partnerships with key maritime stakeholders, including the Mission to Seafarers (MtS).
According to a statement issued by Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, NIMASA, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated this when he received the Chairman, Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers (MtS) Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, OON, and the Regional Director, Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, during a courtesy visit to NIMASA’s headquarters in Lagos.
Representing the NIMASA Director General at the meeting, the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, reiterated the Agency’s determination to sustain policies and programmes aimed at enhancing the welfare, certification and capacity development of Nigerian seafarers.
He said NIMASA would continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that seafarers receive adequate support both onboard vessels and while accessing port facilities.
“NIMASA remains committed to improving the welfare of seafarers through enhanced certification processes, capacity development and policies that promote their wellbeing and professional 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,” he stated.
Earlier, Chief Adebayo Sarumi expressed appreciation to NIMASA for receiving the delegation and commended the Agency’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He noted that the Mission to Seafarers has maintained a global commitment to providing welfare services, pastoral care and practical support to maritime professionals, adding that stronger collaboration with NIMASA would further improve the living and working conditions of seafarers in Nigeria.
The Regional Director, Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, explained that while the Mission to Seafarers and the Port Welfare Committee share a common goal of improving seafarers’ wellbeing, both organisations operate under different but complementary mandates.
He stressed that increased cooperation among maritime stakeholders would help strengthen support systems available to seafarers operating within Nigerian waters and those visiting Nigerian ports.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to deliberate on issues concerning seafarers’ welfare, decent working conditions, and areas of collaboration aimed at improving welfare support services across the maritime industry.
NIMASA has continued to promote initiatives focused on protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian seafarers in line with international standards and the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.
Through enhanced regulatory oversight, stakeholder engagement and policies promoting decent work, the Agency remains committed to ensuring that Nigerian seafarers operate in a safe environment where their rights, welfare and professional growth are adequately protected.
