The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh has said that the agency is reviewing the cost of direct sponsorship of Nigerian cadets undergoing foreign training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
He noted that the review of ongoing sponsorship cost has become necessary due to the global inflationary trends which is very pronounced in the Philippines, India and some other countries where Nigerian cadets are undergoing Certificate of Competency (CoC) examination training under the NSDP programme. The sponsorship covers training leading to obtaining a CoC.
He said: “We are not unmindful of the unforeseen global inflationary trend which has affected the cost of sustaining our cadets who are on sponsorship in some schools under the NSDP programme. Though NIMASA paid the tuition fee, examination fee and the original cost of feeding and accommodation in full, with allowance for extra funds as pocket money, however, it’s obvious that cost of living has increased particularly in the Philippines due to the global inflation. The agency is working closely with the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines to address the challenges associated with the unexpected price increases.
“We have put in place immediate and long term arrangements to minimize the effect of inflation on their living standard during the programme. The Management of the agency has approved an additional $2,000 for each cadet, as extra fund due to inflation. This is a short term measure to cushion the effect. I am sure the Nigerian embassy will get in touch with the students immediately the funds are ready to be disbursed. It is a well coordinated arrangement through the embassy”.
While working closely with the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines to establish appropriate extra funds that might be required, NIMASA is deploying a team on fact finding to interact with the students currently in the Philippines, officials of the Nigerian embassy, the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippines, and some Licensure Examination Training and Review Centres.
One hundred and forty-six cadets have acquired the Philippines sailing license through the NSDP programme with 134 currently undergoing the programme and a further 170 being prepared to proceed to the Philippines for the examinations.”
NIMASA has also made firm arrangements to ensure those cadets who have spent the stipulated six months approved for the CoC programme in the Philipines return home immediately. NIMASA urged the cadets to ensure they conclude their CoC examinations as scheduled.
NIMASA initiated the NSDP in 2008 with the aim of addressing the dearth of Nigerian seafarers on ocean going vessels and the need to meet the indigenous manning requirements of coastal and inland shipping.
The programme is designed to train Nigerian youth to become seafarers and Naval Architects in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions across the world.
NIMASA has trained 2,241 cadets from inception of the programme, with 841 graduates having obtained sailing licences (Certificate of Competency) from maritime administrations of various countries. Out of this number, around 388 are gainfully employed in maritime related organisations, while others are in their final stages of the programme.
