***Demands To Know Who Is The Port Regulator
By Ambrose Obioma Okehi (News Emperor)
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to shut down operations at the nation’s seaports over what called non-renewal of port concession contracts carried out since 2006 after expiration.
The union also demanded to know from the authorities which of the government agencies in the maritime sector is regulating the activities of the port operators at nation’s seaports at the moment as there are a lot of confusion concerning who is the economic regulator and nobody knows who exactly is the authentic regulator for now.
This was disclosed by the President General of the MWUN, Comrade Adeyanju Adewale stated this when the union played host for Comrade Joseph Ajero, the National President, Nigeran Labour Congress (NLC) at the headquarters of the MWUN, 111 Osho Drive, Apapa, Lagos on Friday March 3,2023.
“We wish to inform you sir, that the contract of the terminal operators has long expired and has not been renewed by the authorities. This has put fare of our members in a state of uncertainty and unwarranted suffering. We therefore, seek your intervention,” the MWUN president pleaded with comrade Ajero.
In his welcome address, the Comrade Adewale, on behalf of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) welcomed the Nigerian Labour congress (NLC), President, Comrade Ajero at the MWUN’s secretariat, reminded the NLC President that it was singular honour to welcome him and his distinguished entourage to their national headquarters of MWUN, 119, Osho Drive, Olodi – Apapa.
Comrade Adewale further congratulated comrade Ajero for his victory in the last election as the NLC President.
” I also like to extend our congratulations on account of your new role as President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“Sir, indeed it means a lot to us that you choose to visit us today as your skills will without doubt restore ‘our workers’ movement to its right place in the scheme of our nation’s polity and because of this and your
incredible diligence, we feel assured of good tidings for every Nigerian worker”.
He reminded Comrade Adewale that it is not an easy task to attain leadership position but considering his record, MWUN is sure of his capacity to do a thorough job of guiding us from straying away from the right path. We want to assure you of MWUN.
On the lingering issue of non payment of seafarers' gratuities by the authorities, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ajero also threatened to shutdown the nation’s maritime sector, if in the next two weeks, the Federal Government refuses to pay seafarers' all their monthly entitlements.
The NLC President, Comrade, Joe Ajaero while speaking during his visit at the MWUN headquarters in Lagos, urged the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, to issue a two-week ultimatum to federal government to pay alltheir outstanding entitlements, noting that ageing seafarers need to be paid their monthly pension, as granted by the court.
MWUN, said the International Oil Companies, IOCs have refused to obey Government’s Marine Notice 106 of 2014, as well as Extant Stevedoring Regulations on payment of desiring workers.
Issuing a directive to the leadership of the MWUN to during his courtesy visit to MWUN, which was still in his continuation tour of the affiliate unions of the Congress in Lagos and Ogun states, the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero said, it is unheard-of, that the Union had written to government to pay the seafarers since 2021 and three years down the line, the payment has not be made.According to him, the only solution in sight, is for the union to speak the language government can hear.
Comrade Ajaero however expressed displeasures over government’s refusal to pay seafeares while refusing to engage the labour in negotiations.
“The Ministry has disobeyed the law and it is illegal to do so. It is illegal to do that and it requires an illegal action”, he stated.
The NLC boss also lauded the Maritime Union for sanitizing the dockworkers’ sector, stressing that before now, the sector was marred in deep crisis.
He said, the Union in the maritime sector has been transformed to the admiration of all, urging the leadership to continue to keep the pace.
“The Union has waged a lot of struggles to be where they are now,” he stated.
Earlier, the President of the MWUN and Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju had beside reporting the non-payment of seafarers gratuities by the government, also lamented that the port concession contracts have expired and the terminal operators are still operating without renewal, appealing to the leasdership of the NLC to intervene.
He said, they have been on this matter since over two years without any solution in sight, urging the NLC to address the need to reawaken the consciousness of dredging Calabar, Warri, and Portharcourt ports. He therefore expressed unhappiness over multiple terminal charges, even as he noted that, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has not increased workers salaries for over 18 years. He said, the NPA only agreed recently to increase the salaries, but without any known template for the review.
“We need to know the template NPA used to review our salary, since 18 years of stagnation“, he added.
“Sir, as you may be well aware especially in consideration of our close relationship, you may have come to terms with some of the challenges our members and our union faces, some of which we have had to present to the NLC when we needed to be guided appropriately.
On some of the challenges they are facing, Comrade Adewale said:
” Refusal to pay the aged seafarers’ monthly pension inspite of court ruling”.
Comrade Adewale continued:
“The issue of payment of aged seafarers’ monthly pension in compliance with a subsisting court order is one we recommend for your urgent attention and to be prioritized. The issue has lingered for too long in spite of a subsisting court ruling which demands that they be paid pension,
“Restoration of the registered onboard ship gangway, Security and tally men (pooling system).
Throwing more light on the issue of gangway and tally clerks, MWUN boss said:
“The presence of on board ship gangway men and tally clerks in port operation Is statutory. This is supported by the dock labour rule of 1967, the National dock labour board established by decree No. 13 of 1979, the Maritime Labour Act, 2003, part ix, this position is further supported by the NIMASA Act, Part Vil = Maritime labour.
“On this note, he said, MWUN had earlier forwarded a letter dated 5th August, 2021 to the honourable m
Minister of Transportation to demand for restoration of the for registered on board gangway security men and tally men we believe it is receiving attention.
MWUN equally spoke in the need to dredge seaports in the Southsiuth part of the country.
“Address the need to awaken the dredging of Calabar, Warri, and PortHarcourt ports.
Issuance of seafarers’ identify documents (S.I.D) to seafarers”.
The MWUN president general however, said there is need to ensure that Minimum Standard Condition of Service is gauranteed for our members in the shipping sector as is for members in Nigeran Port Authority, Dock Labour.
“We wish to inform you sir, thar the contract of terminal operators has long expired and has not been renewed by the authorities. This has put the fate of our members in a state of uncertainty and unwarranted suffering. We therefore seek for your intervention.
“Sir, because of time | will have to stop for now but a letter which will contain a comprehensive list of our issues will be addressed to your revered office. However, we humbly solicit your intervention on the issues raised please,” Comrade Adewale said.