NIMASA Reviews Seafarers’ Foreign Training Sponsorship
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the upward review of the cost of direct sponsorship of Nigerian cadets undergoing foreign training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
According to a statement on its website seen by Valuechain, the agency approved an additional $2,000 for each cadet as extra fund due to inflation, and in order to limit the impact of same on the Nigerian trainees.
NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, noted that the review of ongoing sponsorship cost has become necessary due to the global inflationary trends that are 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.
His words: “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, it is obvious that the cost of living has increased, particularly in the Philippines, due to 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 through well-coordinated arrangement with the embassy.”
“While working closely with the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines to establish appropriate extra funds that may be required, NIMASA Management 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 (MARINA), Philippines, some Licensure Examination Training & Review Centres (TRCs).”
“146 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.”
The Agency has also made firm arrangements to ensure that those cadets who have spent the stipulated 6 months approved for the CoC programme in the Philipines return home immediately. It further urged the cadets to ensure they conclude their CoC examinations as scheduled.
NIMASA initiated the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Programme (NSDP) in 2008 with the aim of addressing the dearth of Nigerian seafarers on ocean going vessels and due to the need to meet the indigenous manning requirements of coastal and inland shipping (Cabotage regime).
