Team Herald
PANJIM: Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik has said that seafarers stuck onboard ships in various countries are worried about the outbreak of COVID-19 on the vessels. Naik, who also represents North Goa in Lok Sabha, said he is in constant touch with the Centre for an early return of 8,000-odd Goan seafarers from different countries to their home State.
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“I have spoken to the Prime Minister’s Office through video conferencing regarding our seafarers. The Centre is working out modalities to ensure they soon return to Goa. There is a sense of fear among the about 8,000 to 10,000 seafarers on ships in various countries, because of some cases of COVID-19 on board. They fear its spread… they have no proper food nor medicines are available. Some companies have abandoned their ships,” he said quoting information available through various sources.
Naik has sent a written communique to the PMO as well as the Ministry of External Affairs about the urgent need to evacuate seafarers from their current destinations. “The (Central) government is certain to come out with a solution at the earliest. I am also in touch with the Centre on a day-to-day basis,” he said.
Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, along with MLA Francis Silveira, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao and others met CM Sawant at his official residence, Altinho seeking an urgent solution to stranded seafarers’ issue.
“The families have turned emotional… they have been in touch (with their members on board ship) through WhatsApp and that’s how they have been getting the daily status. These families are seeking our help and as such, we have come to tell CM that all MLAs are united to resolve this issue. We have urged him to convey the message of the seafarers’ families to the Centre. He (CM) assured us that he is in constant contact with the PMO,” Rodrigues said.
Alemao, in his letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has urged for an urgent solution. “I don’t want to politicise the issue. I have sought for help to urgently get our Goan seafarers back to their State,” he said, speaking about several inquiries on the safety of seafarers.
On Monday, the seafarers’ association met the CM informing about the current situation on board the ships as well as the condition of the cruiseliners where stranded seafarers are running short of food stocks.
It has been learnt that seafarers are willing to undergo the quarantine period once they are evacuated from their respective countries, which are also COVID-19 affected.
