By Muhammed Opeyemi
Two labour unions in the maritime sector have called on the Federal Government to properly monitor the activities of jetty operators to save the nation from economic sabotage.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Company (SSASCGOC) made the call during a press briefing in Lagos.
Speaking on the state of the Maritime Sector, MWUN President, Dr Adewale Adeyanju, urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to monitor the activities of jetty operators who carried containers through barges.
Adeyanju said that the government was losing huge revenue because of a lack of proper monitoring of the activities of the jetties.
“We wish to affirm that Jetties play an 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 these places,” he said.
Adeyanju expressed disappointment at the failure of some federal government agencies to implement the minimum wage. This was despite the federal government’s approval.
He said the Nigerian workers deserved timely adjustments to their wages to reflect the current economic realities.
TheNewsZenith reports that the unions called for immediate compliance with the new minimum wage by all relevant bodies.
“Therefore, the unfortunate denouncement of the landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by Hull Blyth Shipping Company’s refusal to abide by its provisions is disappointing.
“Hull Blyth is known for its 100 per cent entrenched casual workforce. This company solely depends on outsourcing all its operational processes.
“It is also known for the repatriation of the company’s huge profits back to its home country.
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“We, therefore, use this medium to warn Hull Blyth management that the union will resist this action, with all it would take,” Adeyanju said.
The unions threaten to close down all ports, terminals and jetties. They also threatened to extend this to oil and gas platforms nationwide should Blyth disregard the CBA agreement.
SSASCGOC President, Segun Bodunde, corroborated Adeyanju’s views.
Bodunde said the absence of government personnel had made the jetties a veritable ground for perpetrating criminal activities.
“Jetties have become a haven for economic sabotage,” TheNewsZenith quotes him as saying.
He said the absence of government officials at manning the jetties had led to an influx of banned commodities into the country.
“This is also a huge revenue loss to the country.
“We advocate for urgent employment of workers across all maritime agencies such as the NPA, NIMASA, NIWA and NSC.
“They need to jointly monitor these areas for efficiency, improved security and resource accumulation.
“Again, these employments will enhance safety, oversight and provide more job opportunities for Nigerian youths,” Bodunde said.
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