By Asuquo Nuwak
The National Secretariat of Maritime of Nigeria (MWUN), Apapa, Lagos, came alive when the leadership of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation And Government Owned Companies SSASCGOC (Maritime Branch) and Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) took decision on the basis of common desire to ensure that the renewed attempt by the National Assembly to sneak in the Port and Harbour Bill into Legislation through back door.
In a joint press release made available by Comrade, Prince Dr. Adeyanju Adewale, President-General, MWUN and Comrade Akin Bodunde, President, SSASCGOC (Maritime Branch), revealed that the decision taken between the leadership of MWUN and SSASCGOC, was to draw the attention of the general public on the Bill which was earlier initiated by an Honorable member of the 8th National Assembly and was squashed from becoming law, if not through the intervention of well-meaning Nigerian s, stakeholders and the efforts of two In-House Unions-MWUN and SSASCGOC, who mutually and strongly took their position towards the proposed Bill.
Comrade, Prince, Dr. Adeyanju Adewale and Comrade Akin Bodunde, who stated this during a joint press briefing with Journalists in Apapa, Lagos, noted that if this Bill is allowed to pass into law it will have far reaching grave consequences on the security of the nation and will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.
Comrade, Prince, Dr. Adeyanju Adewale and Comrade Akin Bodunde, said they are not surprised that the Bill is being vigorously sponsored by certain unpatriotic individuals within the Maritime sector, who are hell bent on appropriating the common wealth and cornering same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies.
At a well attended press briefing , Comrade Adeyanju Adewale and Comrade Akin Bodunde, pointed out that collaborative effort of the group will produce positive result, given their persistent cry and various notices pointing to the deplorable state of the nation’s seaports, deplorable state of port access roads, collapsing quay aprons and general failure of infrastructure within the ports should have been the focus of the 10th National Assembly to find solutions to the myriads of problems bedeviling the ports, terminals, jetties and Oil and Gas platforms and dredging of the ports, particularly Calabar, Warri, Onne and others for increased efficiency.
They expressed great displeasure over the attitude of some unknown individuals, who in an apparent selfish move have clandestinely and recklessly seek to misappropriate public infrastructure through unfriendly legislation for the benefit of individuals whose only interest is capital accumulation, and not having the interest of the general public at heart.
Besides this, the MWUN Boss and SSASCGOC President, are surprised that the sponsors of this Bill outrightly ignored the demand of the Joint House Unions’ to call the international Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigerian Sovereign territorial economic zones, who snobbishly refused to obey the extant maritime regulations, standards laws and order, but rather find it expedient to sit in the comfort of their hallowed chambers to push for laws that will be detrimental and inimical to the welfare and well-being of the working class, Nigerians and the nation’s security and the sovereignty.
As a way forward, the Joint House Union, MWUN and SSASCGOC, therefore called on the Executive, National Assembly, the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and concerned Nigerians to come to their aid and that this is certainly not the right way to follow, as this ploy by these selfish individuals in the maritime sector will cause chaos and anarchy in the industry which has enjoyed sustainable peace since the idea of projecting the harsh Bill was killed in 2018 will not be allowed to come to fruition.
They however, noted that if the proposed Bill is allowed to pass into law, it will render the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) employees jobless and endanger the productivity of other port users. Apart from this, even more sinister is the proposed idea of the Bill to provide wholly employments that will not be pensionable as well as not transferable and without access to terminal benefits.
In addition to this, this is the height of inconsideration by the proponents of the Bill to the right of workers to the necessary payment for services rendered by a worker, in accordance to known law, industrial relations practice, equity and good conscience.
In their words: “It is our believe that allowing this Bill to be passed into law will effectively institutionalize the evil concept of casualization of workers and as well negate the provisions of the pension reform Act 2004 as amended. This is in direct contrast to the avowed promises of Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to ensure the provision of about 5 million jobs for Nigerians through the newly crested Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”.
Having said this, the two In-House Unions in the maritime sector-MWUN and SSASCGOC promised not to fold their hands or rest on their oars and allow few unpatriotic Nigerian within the industry to rip-off the nation’s common wealth and render the sector unproductive via this infamous Bill that will only create poverty, hopelessness, hunger and generate avid bitterness amongst the already impoverished workers and Nigerian citizenry.
Furthermore, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria MWUN and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation And Government Owned Companies (Maritime Branch) SSASCGOC, unequivocally reject the Bill, while seeking to repeal the Act that set up Nigerian Ports Authority NPA in its entirety.
Consequently, the Joint House Union, MWUN and SSASCGOC, confirm their absolute vote of confidence on the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA Act, as it currently relates to the Nigerian state and well-being of the workers in the sector, adding that they will vehemently resist all attempts to push this hellish Bill further. On this note, the two In-House Unions, therefore demand for its withdrawal in its entirety.
In conclusion, the two In-House Unions further draw the attention of the Federal Government to the duplication of functions of MDAs within the maritime sector, while urging the Government to define clearly the functions of each Government agencies to avoid unnecessary conflict of functions, in addition to ensuring that the appointment of the headship of these agencies are technocrats, vast in maritime operations in consonance with the laid down laws.