Palpable tension on Monday hovered around the Headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Boma Road, Apapa, as students under the agency’s Seafarers programme barricaded the entrance to the building.
It was learnt that the seafarers are Nigerian students who attended maritime institutions in Philippines during the tenure of Patrick Akpobolokemi a Director General.
The students are demanding among other things the mandatory sea time, unpaid allowances and job opportunities.
They said that it is sad that the agency is paying lip service to their plight as according them, the agency has refused to help them secure the mandatory seatime that will enable them work on-board vessels.
Armed policemen have since been posted to the area to avert a breakdown of law and order..
….details later
