Maritime
No plans to sack dockworkers – NPA
NPA
By Kunle KALEJAYE
LAGOS-The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that there are no plans by the organisation to sack 10,000 dockworkers.
Responding to an advertorial published on Monday by a group which called itself “Concerned Dockworkers” of the Mari1ime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) of Delta State titled ‘OPEN LETTER/PETITION AGAINST ALHAJI HABIBU ABDULLAHI, MANAGING DIRECTOR NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA) ON HIS MOVE TO SACK OVER TEN THOUSAND NIGERIAN DOCKWORKERS (TALLY CLERKS AND CARGO SECURITY MEN) OPERATING IN NIGERIAN PORTS, MIDSTREAM, JETTIES AND TERMINALS’, NPA said the group dished out misleading information to the public.
“In the letter, which was full of half-truths and innuendos, the writers alleged amongst other things that the NPA Management has “threatened to sack 10,000 tally clerks and security” category of dockworkers”, to replace them, with less than 80 persons as cargo surveyors.
“Ordinarily, the Management would not have reacted to this purported letters by the uninformed writers but considering the flagrant misinformation and the misinterpretation of trust in the letter, calculated to paint the management and particularly the Managing Director in bad light, we deem it most appropriate to put the record straight for the benefit of the general public especially stakeholders,” NPA stated.
The NPA Management said it had never been the employer of dockworkers as prior to the 2005 port reform, the Authority ran a full service port system and was directly involved in cargo receipt from the vessel, its discharge and subsequent delivery to the consignee.
“Under the current concession regime, cargo operations became the responsibility of the terminal operators who are the master stevedores for their individual terminals, with authority to hire and fire dock labour employer for supply of dockworkers to their terminal and to pay them accordingly.
“With the port reform and following agitation by the Dockworkers Union, Government approved a severance package of N200,000 for each of the severed dockworkers not required by the new terminal operators on account of age or low productivity was paid by the Authority, while NIMASA ultimately took over the responsibility for the registration, welfare, training and regulation of dock labour practice in country.
“Cargo surveyors have for long been representatives of the NPA in port operations. As professionals responsible for measuring the tonnage particularly of dry liquid bulk cargoes, they were first engaged in 1999 and renewed in 2006 at the take-off of the current concession.
“Cargo surveyors are to provide the Authority with an independent source of information for the verification of tonnage discharged by vessels calling at the ports for voyage reconciliation with terminal operators.
“Last December, the NPA in its desire to check fraudulent practices in the payment to labour contractors initiated a verification exercise for all such contractors with a view to authenticate all genuine and ambiguous claims from such contractors.
“It should be pointed out here that in the last nine years, the Authority had been groaning under the weight of the financial burden of payment of tally clerks/on board security men even when it does not deliver any value to NPA under the current dispensation as a landlord and regulator,” the Port Authority explained even as it stated that the overriding desire for a peaceful industrial relations atmosphere that will ensure and secure government’s objectives for reform in the maritime sector and improve efficiency of port services shall always remain the its guiding the approach.
“The contractual relationship entered into by Nigerian Ports Authority as a responsible corporate organization is guided by established Government regulations.
“The publication in This Day of Monday 22nd December 2014, captioned “Call To Regularize Contractual Obligations”, which the group finds offensive in summary requires all employers of tally clerks and onboard security men with existing and going contractual relationship with the Authority to come forward for verification as a basis for ensuring payment.
“Are they saying their contracts should not be verified while the Authority continues to pay billions under questionable circumstances?
“The on-going verification exercise of labour contractors by Management is meant to ensure that the Authority only pays to contractors with the valid contracts and to curb fraudulent practices in the process.
“As a responsible organization, NPA Management wishes to re-affirm that no fully registered labour contractor would be surcharged in this exercise,” the organisation added.
The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez has congratulated the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
This was contained in a conveyance letter he personally signed, in which he acknowledged the strides of the Agency in building a robust maritime sector in Nigeria.
According to Dominguez, the IMO commends the significant effort, initiatives, and investment that Nigeria has made in strengthening its maritime institutions.
In the words of Dominguez, “the focus on strengthening maritime law enforcement and security architecture has been welcomed by seafarers and flag States. The Deep Blue project and the C4i Centre as well as maritime piracy laws under the SPOMO Act are just some of the many investments that have set a new gold standard in the region in maritime security capacity building.
“IMO has long supported the regional role of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and its Member States in strengthening maritime security and law enforcement. In this respect, we have been greatly encouraged with the continuation of this regional ownership with the formation and work of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum and Shared Awareness and De-confliction (GoG-MCF/SHADE) in 2021”.
He commended the Agency’s partnership with the various regional bodies, and expressed readiness of the IMO to work with Nigeria and other member states on many maritime issues with the aim of jointly tackling these issues.
“NIMASA’s partnership with the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) and the collaboration with the shipping industry, navies and the Yaoundé architecture has been instrumental in suppressing the threat of piracy to merchant vessels and seafarers in line with UN Security Council resolution 2634 (2022) on piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea and IMO Assembly resolution A.1159 (32).
“I look forward to working with you and your colleagues on many of the maritime issues that we are jointly tackling and hope to welcome you in person at the IMO,” he added.
The newly appointed Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola says the Agency’s Management under his leadership will build a purpose driven organisation.
He also promised prioritising effective communication at all levels to enhance innovation, collaboration and synergy.
Biztellers reports that he made the assertion in his maiden address on his assumption of duty, where he also noted that the Agency under his leadership would prioritize safety, security, efficiency, environmental sustainability amongst others.
He said, “We must strive to foster innovation and excellence in everything we do. The maritime industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
“As leaders in the sector, we must embrace innovation, adapt change, and continuously seek ways to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience of our maritime operations.
“I do not doubt that every individual within our organization has the potential to achieve greatness; we will therefore, ensure that we build a purpose-driven organisation by investing in our staff, processes, and the entire system to achieve our mandate. I aim to foster an environment of innovation, collaboration and synergy, creating an atmosphere that encourages the development of our employees’ skills, talents, and creativity.”
He also used the opportunity to express gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for entrusting him with the responsibility of steering the affairs of the Agency.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for entrusting me with this crucial responsibility.
“I am highly aware of the immense trust and confidence the President placed in me. It is with great enthusiasm and a sense of purpose that I step into this position, fully committed to steering our organisation toward greater heights, while upholding the highest standards of integrity, diligence, and service to our nation”, he said.
He thanked the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, for his guidance throughout the appointment process, and expressed readiness to work with the Minister in achieving the objectives of the Ministry for the sector.
Earlier, the Agency’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chudi Offodile who led other Management staff to receive the DG noted that the entire Management and staff of the Agency were elated to welcome him to the Agency, while also pledging the cooperation of the staff for the success of the Agency.
Recall that on March 11, 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Dr. Dayo Mobereola to serve as the DG of the NIMASA for a renewable term of four years.
Dr. Mobereola holds a Ph. D and an M. Sc in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.
He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, England, and a fellow of the same institute in Nigeria.
He was the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2003 to 2015 and the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State from 2015 to 2016.
Outgoing Director-General, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has handed over the affairs of the Agency to the Acting Director-General, Hon Chudi Offodile.
The change of baton ceremonies took place at NIMASA Towers in Victoria Island, on Monday.
Biztellers reports that Hon Offodile, was NIMASA’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, before his new role.
Dr. Jamoh handed over to Hon Offodile in compliance with the Federal Government Establishment Circular tagged “End of Tenure Processes for Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Director-Generals, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-Owned Companies and Succession Guideline” dated 4th December 2017.
Dr Jamoh’s tenure expired on March 10, 2024.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving him the opportunity to serve in the capacity as Director General and urged the next leadership of the Agency to consolidate on the gains of the past four years.
He said, “I wish to express gratitude to Almighty Allah and the Federal Government for the privilege given me to serve Nigeria in this capacity, as I count myself a privileged Nigerian to have occupied this position, while also contributing my quota to the Nigerian maritime sector.
“Let me also use this opportunity to assure the staff of the Agency that wherever I am, I will still remain a part of this family; a place I have spent the active 30 years of my life.”
He also used the opportunity to thank staff of the Agency for the cooperation enjoyed and their professionalism in assisting the Agency in the realization of its mandate. He enjoined them to keep up the good work and cooperate with the new leadership of the Agency.
On his part, Hon Offodile thanked Jamoh for bringing his wealth of experience to the sector, while also stating that the expertise of the outgoing DG would continue to be required in the industry.
“I want to express my gratitude to the outgoing DG for being a guide to me upon assumption of office as the Executive Director, Finance & Administration, four years ago. The industry will continue to call on you for your expertise,” the Acting DG said.
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