Yesterday, the Nigerian Seafarers Professionals, acting as a collective entity, urged the Federal Government to cease the importation of vessels into Nigeria, asserting that it contradicts the objectives of the Cabotage Act 2007, which mandates that ships should be constructed and manned by Nigerians.

During the commemoration of World Seafarers' Day at the National Institute of Sport in Lagos, the seafarers who advocated for this initiative additionally appealed to President Bola Tinubu to extend his recent student loan policy to Nigerian seafarers for knowledge enhancement.

Addressing the gathering, a respected seafarer named Capt Oluwasegun Oniye further advised the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure that the accumulated Cabotage Fund, intended for distribution, is exclusively utilized within Nigeria. This measure would facilitate the construction of vessels domestically.

He stated, "Considering the provision in the law that mandates ships sailing within Nigerian waterways to be constructed domestically, it raises the question of why we are importing ships into the country. We already have shipbuilding capabilities in Nigeria; we just need to refine the technical aspects. The approved CVFF should remain within the country."

Another notable seafarer, Capt Ogunsakin Williams, made a plea to President Bola Tinubu regarding the student loan policy, emphasizing the urgent requirement for Nigerian seafarers to benefit from such loans.

He expressed, "Nigerian seafarers are facing inadequate compensation. We receive salaries that are barely sufficient, and we spend the majority of it on certificate renewals, with no guarantee of regaining our jobs. It is crucial to extend this loan opportunity to seafarers."