The need for Rivers State indigenes to be trained as seafarers in the maritime industry has again been stressed.
The Chairman of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), an umbrella body for seafarers, seamen, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Water Transports, Comrade Jonah Jumbo made the remark in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Comrade Jumbo said such training would afford them gainful employment on board sea going vessels, as most of the Nigerian vessels were being taken over by neighbouring countries and expertraits.
According to him, the Rivers State Government should help train most of these unemployed graduates and school leavers as seafarers, because without the relevant qualification in maritime, they could not pick-up a job in the sector in order not to fault the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Law.
He reiterated that without marine qualification, Rivers Indigence would be denied the opportunity of boarding sea going vessels even with the cabotage law in force, and appealed to the government to take it as a priority to engage most of the youths meaningfully as well as curb restiveness and reduce unemployment rate in the society.
The MWUN boss in the state also appealed to the government to provide gun-boats in order to checkmate the menace of sea pirates and armed robbers on the waterways, adding that, “government had forgotten that maritime sector is the gateway to Nigerian economy.”
Comrade Jumbo also frowned at the activities of illegal marine companies and operators that are operating in the state, stressing that since they did not identify with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Union, they are hiding and operating illegally.
He noted that they should register officially with the relevant bodies and  follow due process by complying with the cabotage law, pointing out that his administration would soon swing into action to fish out these illegal companies to face the full wrath of the law.
“Boat building companies are not exempted and the union as a pressure group will ensure that they enforce the law for all to adhere despite government interest,” he posited.
On the members of the union, he advised them to exercise some patience as he would dialogue with the authorities for their welfare, and assured that his administration would carry everybody along as well as work in harmany and conducive atmosphere.