The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Company (SSASCGOC) have canvassed proper monitoring of the activities of jetty operators to save the country from economic sabotage.
The maritime labour unions gave the charge at a media briefing on the state of the maritime sector, yesterday, in Lagos.
Speaking on the state of the maritime sector, President of MWUN, Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, urged the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to monitor activities of jetty operators who carry containers through barges.
Adeyanju said the Federal Government has been losing huge revenue due to lack of proper monitoring of the activities of the jetties operating in the country.
“We wish to affirm that Jetties play a very important role as landing and storage ports for goods and services. Jetties also dot all nooks and crannies of our littoral charts; but there is a visible lack of presence of NPA and NIMASA personnel in those places,” he said.
Adeyanju, who expressed disappointment on non implementation of the minimum wage by some government agencies and parastatals in spite Federal Government approval, maintained that Nigerian workers deserved timely adjustments of their wages to reflect to current economic realities.
The unions also demanded immediate compliance with the new minimum wage by all relevant bodies in the maritime sector. “Therefore, the unfortunate denouncement of landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by Hull Blyth Shipping Company’s refusal to abide by its provisions is very disappointing.
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“We must state here, that Hull Blyth is known for its 100 per cent entrenched casual workforce. This company solely depends on outsourcing of all its operational process. It is also known for repatriation of the company’s huge profits back to its home country.
“We, therefore, wish to use this medium to sound a note of warning to Hull Blyth management that the union will resist this action, with all it would take, including closing down all ports, terminals, jetties and oil and gas platforms nationwide should Blyth disregard CBA agreement” Adeyanju stated.
Also speaking, SSASCGOC President, Segun Bodunde, expressed concern that the absence of government personnel had made the jetties a viable ground for perpetrating criminal activities and a haven for economic sabotage.
Bodunde said the absence of government officials manning the jetties had led to influx of banned commodities into the country and huge revenue loss to the nation.
“We advocate for urgent employment of workers across all maritime agencies such as the NPA, NIMASA, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigeria Shippers’ Council to man these areas for efficiency, improved security and resource accumulation.
“Again, these employments will serve to enhance safety, oversight, and provide more job opportunities for Nigerian youths within the sector,” he added.
