By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos
THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA) has launched its Maritime Labour E-Registration Platform for proper documentation of gainfully employed dockworkers in the port.
The flag-off ceremony which took place at the head office, APM Terminals Apapa, Lagos also witnessed the issuance of biometric identity cards to dockworkers.
During his flag-off message, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services (NIMASA), Victor Ochei said the platform is an offshoot of the agency’s mandate to ensure digitalized registration and regulation of dockworker.
Jamoh charged concerned stakeholders to make sure that the platform is not exposed to cyber manipulation.
“The E-platform was conceived out of the need to establish an independent, robust, integrated information, verification, and communication platform that will serve as system database generation on Maritime Labour. It will also serve as a source of statistical data and analytics for National Planning, Policy Making, Training Capacity Building, and Research.
“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 will promote a seamless registration process that will culminate in the issuance of biometric identity cards to seafarers and Dockworkers.
“The Maritime Labour Employers on the other hand can conveniently complete their registration process from the comfort of their offices without necessarily visiting the Agency’s Office.
“I, therefore, implore our esteemed Stakeholders including seafarer employers, Manning agents, Terminal operators, Dock labour employers, Seafarers, and Dockworkers to ensure that the platform is put into good use while avoiding practices that will expose it to the manipulations of online scammers,” Jamoh said.
In her address, Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastup who was represented by the Senior Manager, Stevedoring Operation, ENL CONSORTIUM LTD, Olu Ajayi described the initiative as a remarkable feat from NIMASA while hoping that it will be sustained.
