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Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Nigeria (RATIFICATION: 2004)

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The Committee notes the Government’s first and the second succinct reports on the application of the Convention. It also notes that the 2016 amendments to the annexes of the Convention entered into force for Nigeria on 8 June 2017. The Committee recalls that these amendments aim at aligning the technical requirements of the Convention with the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with respect to the technology for seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) provided for in the Convention. In particular, they intend to change the biometric template in SIDs from a fingerprint template in a two-dimensional barcode to a facial image stored in a contactless chip as required by ICAO document 9303.

Articles 2 to 7 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. Implementation. The Committee notes that the Government referred in its first report to a draft Bill to enable effect to be given in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Merchant Shipping Identity Document Convention (Revised) 2003 (SB. 385). In addition, the Government indicated that: (1) the equipment necessary for the protection of the SID had been put in place; (2) focal points had been established in certain ports for the purpose of verifying SIDs; and (3) staff had been trained on the technical management of SID equipment and production. While noting the efforts that had been deployed by the Government, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are no new developments since the last report. The Committee further notes that the Government provides no information on any recent measure adopted to implement the amended version of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to adopt the necessary measures without further delay to give full effect to the provisions of the Convention, as amended. The Committee requests the Government to: (1) indicate whether the draft bill has been adopted and to supply copies of all relevant texts as soon as they are adopted, as well as detailed information on the procedures for setting up and operating a national electronic database and conducting quality control and periodic evaluations; and (2) supply a specimen of a SID as soon as it becomes available. The Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of the Office technical assistance.