Maritime Unions kick Against Revitalization of Port and Harbour Bill

 ...Condemn Attempt by National Assembly to Sneak the Bill into Legislation through Back Door

... Reject the Bill seeking to repeal NPA's ACT

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Leaderships of the two in-House Unions in the Maritime Sector - Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria(MWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies(SSASCGOC) Maritime Branch, have kicked against the renewed attempt by the National Assembly to sneak the Port and Harbour Bill into Legislation through the back door.

Speaking at a joint press briefing held by the Unions on Monday November 6 2023, at MWUN's headquarters in Lagos, Dr. Adeyanju Adewale and Comrade Akin Bodunde affirmed that the Bill which was earlier initiated by an Honourable 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 & SSASCGOC, who mutually and strongly maintained their opposition towards the proposed hellish Bill.

They warned that if the said bill is passed into law will have adverse effects on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

In their words, "The bill as being processed if passed into law will render the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) employees jobless and endanger the productivity of other port users. It will also 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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to ensure the provision of about 5 million jobs for Nigerians through the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. 

"We are 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 concerning same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies."

"But we are surprised that the sponsors of the bill outrightly ignored our demand to call the International Oil Companies(IOCs) 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's security and sovereignty.

"The 'Joint House Unions', MWUN & SSASCGOC use this medium to convey our believe to the Executive, National Assembly and the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy that this 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 and it will not be allowed to come to fruition 

In view of the afore said, the groups unanimously rejected the Bill seeking to repeal the Act that set up Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in it's entirety and thus confirmed absolute vote of confidence on the NPA Act.

To them, the Act currently relates to the Nigerian state and the well-being of the workers in the sector and any attempt to push the hellish bill further will be vehemently resisted.

However on appointment of leadership of all agencies in the industry, the two groups called for appointment of technocrats who are vast in Maritime operations in consonance with the laid down laws.