STCW convention: Nigeria escapes being delisted by IMO

STCW convention: Nigeria escapes being delisted by IMO
Anna Okon May 30, 2019 https://punchng.com/stcw-convention-nigeria-escapes-being-delisted-by-imo/

South Africa and other maritime nations recently prevailed on the International Maritime Organisation to review the process of delisting countries from the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention’s White List.

The intervention reportedly saved more than 87 countries, mostly African nations.

In February, the IMO unveiled its intention to delist as many as 87 countries from its STCW Convention White List.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority had insisted that the process leading to the drawing of the list did not follow due process.

The agency maintained that the process following discussions between SAMSA, other member states of the IMO and the organisation during a meeting in London culminating in the drawn list were not totally transparent.

“Discussions on the matter between the parties concerned came to a conclusion that the drawing up of the list of countries for delisting from the STCW Convention White List earlier this year did not follow due process.

“The IMO then agreed to withdraw the list of affected countries and to embark on a process that is fair and transparent over the next year or two. Therefore, the list that was drawn up will no longer be presented to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee that is scheduled to sit in June” the Chief Executive Officer, SAMSA, Sobantu Tilayi, said.

A stakeholder who pleaded anonymity hinted that Nigeria was one of the 87 countries that would have been delisted.

“We should put our house in order. The IMO is 100 per cent, a professional body. If you are not on the White List, then you are on the Black List with its attendant implications.”

Speaking in the same vein, an industry watcher, Samuel Egbewole, warned that SAMSA’s intervention might not be available at the next turn of events, hence the need for the Federal Government to embark on the serious pursuit of policies that would truly enhance shipping, training and manpower development, immediately.

Training and manpower development in the nation’s shipping arena are not globally recognised and the cadets from Nigeria’s maritime institutions are most often denied mandatory sea time training.