The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (Maritime Branch – SSASCGOC) under the leaderships of Comrade Adeyanju Adewale and Comrade Akinola Bodunde respectively, have again kicked against the attempt by some individuals in the industry to pass Port and Harbour Bill into legislation

According to the duo, the bill which was earlier initiated by a member of the 8th national assembly was squashed from becoming law through the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, stakeholders and the exerted efforts of the two in-house unions; MWUN and SSASCGOC, who mutually and strongly affirmed their opposition towards the proposed hellish bill.

Adewale and Bodunde in a press conference on Monday described promoters of the bill as unpatriotic and categorically stated that the passage of the bill will have far reaching grave consequences on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

They urged the 10th Assembly to rather focus on tackling infrastructural decay in the industry and not an unpatriotic bill that would have a negative impact on maritime development and growth. 

“We wish to note that this said bill if allowed to be passed into law will have far reaching grave consequences on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

“We are therefore not surprised that the bill is being vigorously sponsored by certain unpatriotic individuals within the maritime sector, who are hell bent on appropriating our common wealth and cornering the same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies.

“We would have thought that given our persistent cry and various notices pointing to the deplorable state of our various nation’s seaports, decrepit state of port access roads, collapsing quay aprons, and the general failure of infrastructure within our ports, the focus of this10th National assembly would have been to find solutions to the myriad of problems bedeviling our ports, terminals, jetties and Oil and Gas platforms and even the need to dredge all the ports particularly Calabar, Warri, Onne and others for increased efficiency.

“And not to clandestinely and recklessly seek to misappropriate public infrastructure through unfriendly legislation for the benefit of individuals whose only interest is capital accumulation and not the general public good of all,” they appealed.

The leadership of both unions also expressed surprise that the sponsors of this bill out rightly ignored their demand to call to order the International Oil Companies (10Cs) operating in the nation’s territorial economic zones, who have snobbishly refused to obey the extant maritime regulations, standards and laws.

“We are even further surprised that the sponsors of this bill outrightly ignored our demand to call the International Oil Companies (10Cs) operating in our sovereign territorial economic zones, who have snobbishly refused to obey our extant maritime regulations, standards and laws to order but, 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 wellbeing of the working class, Nigerians and our nation’ security and sovereignty.

“The Joint House Unions’, MWUN & SSACGOC use this medium to convey our belief to the Executive, National Assembly and the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy that this is certainly not the right way to go as this ploy by these selfish individuals in the maritime sector will cause chaos and anarchy in the industry which has enjoyed sustained peace since the idea of projecting the harsh bill was killed in 2018. 

“The bill will not be allowed to come to fruition,” they further expressed.

Adewale and Bodunde also pointed out that the bill as being proposed, if passed into law will render the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) employees jobless and endanger the productivity of other port users.

“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. 

“This is the height of inconsideration by the proponents of the bill to the right of workers for the necessary payment for services rendered by workers, in accordance with known law, industrial relations practice, equity and good conscience,” they explained.

The duo also pointed out that the bill would entrench casualisation of workers in the industry, a contrast to President Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to provide five million jobs for Nigerians through the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, adding that the bill as well would negate the provisions of the Pension Reform Act of 2004.  

“It is our belief that allowing this bill to be passed into law will effectively institutionalise the evil concept of casualisation 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 Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure the provision of about five million jobs for Nigerians through the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

“Having said this, we, the two in-house unions in the maritime sector – MWUN & SSASCGOC, will not fold our hands or rest on our oars and allow few unpatriotic Nigerians within the industry to rip-off the nation’s common wealth and render our sector unproductive via this infamous bill that will only create poverty, hopelessness, hunger and generate avid bitterness amongst the already impoverished workers and Nigeria citizenry.

“On this note, the MWUN and SSASCGOC; unequivocally reject the bill seeking to repeal the Act that set up NPA in its entirety.

“Consequently, we confirm our absolute vote of confidence on the Nigerian Ports Authority ACT as it currently relates to the Nigerian state and the well-being of the workers in the sector and we will vehemently RESIST all attempts to push this hellish bill further. WE THEREFORE DEMAND FOR ITS WITHDRAWAL IN ITS ENTIRETY,” they declared.

As an addendum, the unions used the medium to further draw the attention of the federal government to the duplication of functions of MDAs within the maritime sector and also urged the government to clearly define the functions of each government agency to avoid unnecessary conflict of functions.

They also harped on the need to ensure that the appointment of the headship of these agencies are technocrats, vast in maritime operations in consonance with the laid down laws. 

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