The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Malam Habib Abdullahi, on Wednesday said it would not re-engage Dock Labour Contractors at the expiration of their contract on Dec. 15.
Abdullahi said in a message to a Stakeholders’ Meeting in Lagos that the NPA would by Dec. 15, be relieved of the responsibility of engaging the dock labour contractors and making any payment to them.
“It would, therefore, be expected that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), would take over the responsibility of dealing with dock labour matters in line with its statutory mandate’’, Omonibeke said.
Represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Mr David Omonibeke, the managing director said NPA was fully committed to maintenance of industrial harmony at the nation’s seaports.
He said in a bid to demonstrate this commitment, the NPA would continue to engage all stakeholders to that all rules of engagement were followed for the benefit of all without running foul of the law.
Abdullahi described the NPA as a law-abiding corporate organisation which appreciated the roles of tally clerks and on-board security men in ports operations.
He said the organisation convened the meeting so that all conflicts in the sector could be properly explained in line with the law and the provisions of the port reform.
The Director, Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Isa Galadanchi, urged all stakeholders to express their views on the way forward in the maritime sector.
Galadanchi said there was the need to agree on “who pays for the services of tally clerks and on-board security men.’’
He urged all stakeholders to channel their submissions for proper harmonisation through electronic mail to the Federal Ministry of Transport.
The director promised to reconvene the forum at a future date for a feedback on the decisions reached.
Stakeholders who made presentations during the meeting included: the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Seaport Terminal Operators of Nigeria (STOAN), Shipping Companies and National Association of Stevedoring Companies.
Others were: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC). (NAN)
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