The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, has said that it is approving an additional $2,000 each for the 134 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme.
A statement by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, said the agency has put in place immediate and long-term arrangements to minimise the effect of inflation on their living standard during the programme.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted that the review of the ongoing exercise was necessary due to the global inflationary trends which were very pronounced in the Philippines, India and some other countries.
The statement partly read, “We have put in place immediate and long-term arrangements to minimise the effect of inflation on their living standard during the programme.
“The management of the agency has approved an additional $2,000 dollars for each cadet, as extra fund due to inflation. This is a short-term measure to cushion the effect of inflation.
“I am sure the Nigerian embassy will get in touch with the students immediately the funds are ready to be disbursed.
“It is a well-coordinated arrangement through the embassy. 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.”
It will be recalled that NIMASA initiated the NSDP in 2008 with the aim of addressing the dearth of Nigerian seafarers on ocean-going vessels and the need to meet the indigenous manning requirements of coastal and inland shipping. The programme is designed to train Nigerian youth to become seafarers and Naval Architects in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions across the world.
The statement also said that the inflationary trend has affected the cost of sustaining our cadets who are on sponsorship in some schools under the NSDP programme
“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, however, it’s obvious that cost of living has increased particularly in the Philippines due to the global inflation. The agency is working closely with the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines to address the challenges associated with the unexpected price increases”
“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, Philippines, some Licensure Examination Training & Review Centres”
The statement further said that the agency has also made firm arrangements to ensure those cadets who have spent the stipulated 6 months approved for the CoC programme in the Philipines return home immediately.
