The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has introduced new seafarers medical certification documents in compliance with extant requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1998 as amended.
Presenting the documents to stakeholders in Lagos recently, the agency’s Acting Director General, Haruna Jauro stated that the current effort at better compliance is one of the key areas in which the NIMASA plays its role of domesticating international maritime laws and conventions that help to keep maritime activities and the marine environment safe.
Jauro, who was represented by the Director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department, Engr. Vincent Udoye further stated that the new documents on the certification are more secure as they are printed with better security features in collaboration with the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Cooperation (NSPMC) to ensure that medical certificates of fitness for seafarers in Nigeria are authentic and in line with international standards.
He assured stakeholders in the sector that NIMASA as an agency of government will continue to strive to meet the needs of the sector through better administration of safety standards in all facets of maritime operations.
In compliance with other international maritime laws to which Nigeria is a party notably the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS ’74) and the Search and Rescue (SAR) 1978 Conventions among others, the NIMASA has also implemented measures such as procurement of patrol boats, ambulances and priority operational vehicles in addition to facilitating capacity building of human resources towards the successful implementation of these conventions.
By Pita Ochai
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