The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that the SEAMAN Discharge book used by seafarers are ready and that no Nigerian seafarer or cadet will be denied the opportunity of going on board vessels on account of not possessing the document.
Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said this while addressing Nigerian students under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) in Universitatea Maritime Din Constanta (the Maritime University Constanta) Romania yesterday.
The DG said their training cycle will be incomplete without sea time berth and on board training hence the priority attention given to the production of the DISCHARGE book.
Dr. Peterside charged the students to take their studies seriously as the country is investing heavily in their training with the hope that they will fill the gap of dearth of maritime professionals in the country, become employable, as well as earn foreign exchange for Nigeria.
He assured the student that NIMASA will do all that is required to ensure they get the best training that will give them a competitive edge in the global maritime industry.
Also speaking, Hon Mohamed Umaru Bago, the Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration charged the students to make the necessary sacrifice today to secure their future and that of their families.
“At your time of strength and youth, do more than you are paid for today so that you can be paid more than you work for tomorrow” Hon Bago advised.
He said the only way the cadets can appreciate the sacrifices the country is making on their behalf is for them to come out with excellent grades.
In his comments, Senator Ahmed Rufai Yerima, Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport urged the students to be true ambassadors of Nigeria and commit their time to the academic endeavor for which they are sent to Romania.
Senator Yerima said many Nigerians are looking for this opportunity which they are privileged to have so they should make the best use of it.
The leader of NSDP students in Romania, Mukoro expressed appreciation to the National Assembly delegation and the Management of NIMASA for the visit. He said this is the first time such high level delegation will be visiting them since the commencement of the programme five years ago and promised that Nigerian students will continue to be of good conduct and will come out with excellent grades in their different fields of study.