The Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) has called on the Federal Government to grant Nigerian seafarers tax exemption across the country.

This is even as the association decried job losses to foreigners as competent Nigerian seafarers are struggling to get employment while majority of them are roaming the street.

The National President of NMNOWTSSA, Comrade Bob Yousou, who spoke at the 3rd edition of the annual Seafarers’ Colloquium in Lagos yesterday, said that seafarers hardly enjoy socio-amenities on ground as most of their time is spent at sea.

He said the gap has been too wide to imaging while calling on the regulatory agency to ensure that Nigerian seafarers’ are paid as of when due and well paid just like their foreign counterparts.

In line with international best practices, the National President urged NIMASA examiners to sign the certificate instead of the Chief Executive Officer of the regulatory agency in furtherance to avoid delay of the CoC issuance.

While appealing for the regulator to look inward and make adjustments toward accelerated process of the signatory, he said, “It is our request that this be reciprocated in Nigeria so as to avoid delay in signing of CoC as a result of tight schedule of the CEO of NIMASA.

”Some shipping companies pay Nigerian seafarers non commensurate wages compared to their foreign counterpart with the same CoC and perform same duties. While acknowledging the fact that there should be disparity ,in our case the gap is too wide to image .

“We appeal to shipping companies and NIMASA as the regulatory agency to ensure Nigeria Seafarers’are paid as of when due, pointing out that,” he said.

Conversely, he urged seafarers’ to assist in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem urging the seamen to avoid polluting the waters either by dropping waste products oiling materials or things that are harmful to humans, plants and animals at sea or ocean. (Sunday Sun)