The International Transport Workers’ Federation UK has approved a grant to Nigeria, facilitated through the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), to construct a Seafarers Recreation Centre in partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Head of ITF Seafarers Trust Fund, Katie Higginbottom, announced the grant during a meeting with Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in Lagos over the weekend. Higginbottom commended MWUN and NIMASA for their dedication to seafarers’ well-being and emphasized the significance of the center, stating that it will benefit not only Nigerian seafarers but also those from the West African region and beyond. The approval process for the grant underwent three years of rigorous assessment, affirming the ITF’s confidence in investing in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Minister Oyetola expressed appreciation for the ITF’s trust in Nigeria and assured that the funds would be used judiciously. He highlighted the importance of seafarers to the maritime industry and commended the ITF’s commitment to the project. He pledged the government’s support to ensure the timely completion of the center, emphasizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s establishment of a standalone ministry for the maritime industry as a testament to Nigeria’s dedication to becoming a major maritime nation.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG of NIMASA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to investing in seafarers’ well-being. He welcomed the project as a significant infrastructural development for seafarers’ welfare and assured that NIMASA would fulfill its obligations to the project.
Comrade Adeyanju, President General of MWUN, highlighted the union’s dedication to improving seafarers’ conditions and expressed gratitude to NIMASA for their collaboration. He explained that the decision to seek funding from the ITF was driven by the desire to enhance seafarers’ welfare.
The Seafarers Recreation Centre, funded partly by the ITF grant, will serve as a hub for local and regional seafarers, providing a space for relaxation and social interaction during port calls and beyond.
