The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it is looking at the cost of direct sponsorship of Nigerian cadets undergoing overseas training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) .
The agency said it approved an additional $2,000 for each cadet, as additional funds due to inflation.
NIMASA Managing Director Bashir Jamoh noted that the ongoing sponsorship cost review has become necessary due to the global inflationary trends which are very pronounced in the Philippines, India and some other countries where Nigerian cadets are experiencing a Certificate of Competence (CoC) Examination training under the NSDP program. The sponsorship relates to training leading to the obtaining of a Certificate of Competence, CoC.
He said, “We are aware of the unforeseen global inflationary trend which has affected the cost of maintaining our cadets who are sponsored in some schools under the NSDP scheme. Although NIMASA paid full tuition, examination fees and the initial cost of food and accommodation, with an allowance for additional funds as pocket money, it is evident that the cost of life has increased, especially in the Philippines due to global inflation.
“The Agency is working closely with the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines to address challenges associated with unexpected price increases.
“We have put in place immediate and long-term provisions to minimize the effect of inflation on their standard of living during the program. Agency management approved an additional $2,000 for each cadet as additional funding due to inflation.
“This is a short-term measure to cushion the effect. I am sure that the Nigerian Embassy will contact the students as soon as the funds are ready to be disbursed.
well-coordinated arrangement through the Embassy.
“While working closely with the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines to establish appropriate additional funds that may be required, NIMASA management is deploying an investigative team to interact with students currently in the Philippines, officials from the Embassy of Nigeria, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippines, some Training Centers and License Examination Review (TRC).
“146 cadets have acquired the Philippine Sailing License through the NSDP program, 134 are currently in the program and another 170 are ready to travel to the Philippines for exams.”
The Agency has also made firm arrangements to ensure that cadets who have spent the stipulated 6 months approved for the CoC program in the Philippines return home immediately. NIMASA urged cadets to ensure they complete their CoC exams as scheduled.
NIMASA launched the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) in 2008 with the aim of addressing the shortage of Nigerian seafarers on ocean-going vessels and the need to meet the indigenous workforce needs of coastal and inland shipping. (cabotage regime).
The program is designed to train young Nigerians to become seafarers and naval architects in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) across the world.
So far, the Agency has trained 2,241 cadets since the start of the program, including 841 graduates who obtained navigation licenses (certificate of competence) from the maritime administrations of various countries. Of these, approximately 388 are now employed in maritime organizations, while others are in the final stages of the program.
