MWUN slams stakeholders disregarding NIMASA’s directive on stevedoring operations

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has expressed disappointment and declared readiness to take action against stakeholders who it said had refused to comply with a directive of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to allow registered stevedores and dockworkers access to operational areas allocated to them by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Making reference to NIMASA’s  “Marine Notice” for compliance regarding allowing the stevedores and dockworkers access, President General of the MWUN said : ”  The Marine Notice- Government Notice No 106 as well as the Associated Stevedores regulation 2014 , are operational guidelines issued by NIMASA to all dock labour employers and private operators of any work location including ports, jetties, onshore oil and gas or bonded terminals, inland container deports(ICDs), off dock terminals, dry ports and platforms.

“We have noticed with dismay that some of the stakeholders mentioned above have continued to flay this government directive by their blatant refusal to grant the government appointed and NIMASA registered stevedores and dock workers access to the operational areas allocated to them by the NPA.

“We therefore use this medium to sound a note of warning to those stakeholders who feel that they can always flaunt government directive with impunity and in effect expose our members to starvation, to have a rethink and and allow the government- approved and NIMASA-registered stevedores and dockworkers access without hindrance , the operational areas government allocated to them to perform their legitimate duties.

“We shall not hesitate to engage in a manner that has never been witnessed in this land, such stakeholders that see themselves above the law.”

The Union, however, commended the efforts of the Dirctor General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and the Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, respectively.

“We wish to applaud the Director General, NIMASA-Dr Bashir Jamoh for the numerous successes recorded in his first 100 days in office. The energy and spate of innovation he has brought into the Agency is a pointer to many laudable achievements in the pipeline

“We also want to acknowledge   and commend the Managing Director of NPA- Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, for the wonderful job dine in the Authority, which to mention a few include the payment of severance package to the erstwhile Tally Clerks and On-board ship gangway security men, the drastic face lift of decaying infrastructure in the NPA,” the statement read in part.

Still on the NPA, the Union requested the MD to address the lingering issue concerning the Calabar Port dredging, which according to the Union, had been contracted many years back.

It noted that :“However, we would like to use this medium to request the Managing Director, NPA to look into the lingering issue of dredging the Calabar channel, which contract we are reliably informed had been awarded many years back.

“We believe that dredging the Calabar channel will positively boost trade and commerce in the Niger Delta area and further help boost revenue to the Federal Government, while also creating employments for Nigerians.”

The Union pledged continued partnership with the both agencies, to maintain peace and industrial harmony, but doing so, as long as the agencies maintain fairness, justice and equity they had brought to bear in the system.

It also expressed gratitude to the NPA, NIMASA as well as the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria(STOAN) under the leadership of Princess Vicky Haastrup, for creating a conducive work environment for members of the Union.