The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers & Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has cautioned cadets from maritime institutions to be wary of fake seafaring associations, stating that these unscrupulous elements have been duping people in the name of maritime security certificates that are not recognised and accepted within Nigeria and internationally.
Speaking with select maritime journalists recently, National President of the NMNOWTSSA, Comrade Bob Yousou urged the government to beam its searchlight on a group Identified as “Maritime Security Experts”, which allegedly dupes people under the guise of issuing maritime security certificates that are not recognised and accepted within Nigeria and internationally.
According to the NMNOWTSSA President, “There is no gainsaying that this body has CAC registration. It is therefore not a yardstick to establishing a security outfit.
“Merchant Navy Officers all over the world are known to be disciplined and professional. There is no Maritime Convention that mandates seafarers to carry arms globally.
“History has it that the establishment of the Nigerian Navy (NN) is as a result of the security issues encountered by seafarers plying their trade in Nigeria’s territorial waters. It is therefore the duty of the Nigerian Navy to uphold our territorial boundaries and deal with the security challenges faced by seafarers.
“With the coming into force of the Deep Blue Sea project, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not leaving any stone unturned to curb insecurity challenges in our territorial waters.
“It is germane to know that in this era of insecurity, in every part of the country, one has to be careful about training people on security matters.
“Today, I want to make this announcement critically clear that the security authorities in Nigeria should hunt for these miscreants who address themselves as captains and operate under the name ‘Maritime Security Experts’.
The certificates issued by this group of people neither conform to ILO/IMO regulation nor are in line with the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) requirements.
“It becomes glaring that the fake bodies are the ones militarizing our noble profession. They are bent on wearing uniforms day in, day out without any plans to go onboard vessel and work, hence the conflict with the Nigerian Navy and other security authorities.
“Merchant Navy uniform is the same globally but we stand against its abuse. Seafarers are professionals with great repute. They transport about 85 per cent of world trade
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