By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An electronic platform for the registration of dockworkers has been launched by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
A statement from the agency disclosed that the e-platform is a major step toward attaining full automation of all its processes as it would aid the issuance of biometric identity cards to dockworkers.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Bashir Jamoh, stated that this initiative will boast maritime labour as it was conceived out of the need to establish an independent, robust, integrated information, verification and communication platform that would serve as a system database generation on maritime labour in Nigeria.
According to him, this platform will benefit the industry both in terms of time-saving, thereby improving service delivery, as well as building the capacity of the maritime labour workforce.
“I am particularly delighted about the prospect of eliminating the time-consuming process of seafarers and employers registration which is what the E-Platform would provide.
“It is further expected that the E-Platform would promote a seamless registration process that will culminate with the issuance of biometric identity cards to seafarers and dockworkers,” the DG, who was represented at the unveiling by the Executive Director in charge of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at NIMASA, Mr Victor Ochei, stated.
He said the organisation was committed to building up the capacity of Nigerian seafarers and dockworkers in order to improve the standing of the country’s maritime sector among the committee of maritime nations.
Adedapo Adesanya