WELCOME TO NMNOWTSSA
NIGERIA MERCHANT NAVY OFFICERS AND WATER TRANSPORT SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION
The Association came into being on the 31st of August, 1963 under the registered name of “Nigeria Merchant Shipping Officers Association” with Captain F.A. Ebong as her then Secretary General. The name was later changed to and registered as the “Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association” on Wednesday, the 15th November 1972. This name remained until 1978 February, when Mr. M.O. Abiodun commission’s report and recommendations of Trade Unions restructure exercise were accepted and published by the Federal Government. The published name of the Association by the Federal Government official Gazette No. 6 volume 65 as well as the Trade Unions (Amended) Act No-22 of 1978 was the ‘’Water Transport Senior Staff Association’’. The Merchant Navy Officers in the Association kicked against their exclusion, forwarded a protest letter to the Honourable Minister of Employment Labour and Productivity. They reasoned that the Association as it were was limited to Inland Water employees. They seagoing senior staff could not be accommodated in it unless there is a change of nomenclature A change to correct the anomaly was set in motion and same received the approval of The Minister of Labour, Major General Ike O.S. Nwachucku now (Rtd). The present name of the Association was again registered and Gazetted in the Federal Government official Gazette No. 23 of 30th April, 1987.
We maintain a vibrant union and advance the education and training of members as well as their welfare that meet international standards/ practices.
The history of Merchant Navy in Nigeria is dated as far back as the 19th Century. The defunct Nigeria Marine department now known and address as Nigeria Merchant Navy was originally formed in 1914 after the merger of the Northern and Southern Nigeria Marine detachment. This detachment originated from the British Mercantile Marine. The Royal Navy now Nigeria Navy was formed from the defunct Nigeria Marine department in 1958. The first (2) two Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) were from the Merchant Navy outfit in the persons of the following:
Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey, OFR FSS, First Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff. A pioneer who, with his colleagues, took a good hard look at the geo-political location of Nigeria came up with plans on which to build a great Navy, which they pursued methodically, diligently and honestly.
Admiral Wey joined the Marine Department around 1940 as a technical apprentice to be trained as a Marine Engineer. At the end of the course in 1945, he served in all sea-going vessels of the Marine Department. In 1956 when the Navy was established he was transferred to the Navy as a Sub-Lieutenant
In March 1964, then a Commodore, he was appointed the first Nigerian to head the Navy. He was a super administrator, statesman and diplomat. He was head of he Navy at the critical time of the Nigerian Civil War. Perhaps he most remembered today by many for his gregariousness and humour. When he died on 12 December 1990, his burial was perhaps the first of its kind in Nigerian military history. Read More
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Senator Gbemisola R. Saraki,
The Honourable Minister of State for Transportation,
Federal Ministry of Transportation
Her Excellency,
It is a privilege to have this opportunity to discuss some of the issue bothering on Nigerian Seafarers of which I am the National President and our Maritime sector at large. Without taking much of our time and standing on the existing protocol, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate you for this first of its kind Town – Hall meeting with the Seafarers unions. Without missing words, you are a pace setter and I pray that God Almighty will continue to strengthen you.
On this note, please, permit me to outline the following issues demanding your urgent attention/action:
- MARITIME INSTITUTIONS: The Federal Government owned Maritime Institutions (ORON, to be given International look to meet international standard and recognition so as to have the opportunity of issuing Class II & I COCs. By this the brain drain of our Nigerian Seafarers travelling overseas for the above class (COC) will be reduce to the barest minimal.
- BILATERAL AGREEMENT: We urge NIMASA to sign bilateral agreement with other flag States, Multinational, other Maritime Countries and Institutions in order to enhance the ability of our Seafarers holding our COC to get placement and due recognition.
- SEATIME: All Cabotage vessels should be mandated to allow/accommodate at least (2) Two Cadets per vessel for their cadetship training.
- Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): The National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) should be review as a matter of urgency and all the shipping companies be made to have CBA in their respective companies with the unions.
- MENTAL CARE: Mental health challenge among Seafarers is rising; NIMASA should ensure that Ship owners, Managers and Charterer take mental health of Seafarers seriously.
- ABANDONMENT/REPATRIATION: NIMASA should lead a global crusade against ship abandonment, recks and abandoned vessels should be off our waters.
- UNPAID WAGES: NIMASA should come to the aid of Nigerian Seafarers by educating the ship owners on the need or importance of prompt wage payment. Wages should be paid as at when due.
- CRIMINALIZATION: Seafarers should not be criminalize and punished for following the order of the Ship-owners, Manager or Charterer. Fair hearing should be given to them.
- NATIONAL CARRIERS: NIMASA should consider going under partnership in form of Public/Private partnership (PPP) to acquire vessels for training and commercial purpose.
