By Victor AhiumaYoung

There is increasing anxiety in the nation’s maritime industry especially within the terminal operators in the Port formations across the country over non-renewal of their operating licences.

 It was gathered that their licences that expired in 2021 have not been renewed by the government.

In fact, the licences had earlier expired after the first 10 years of handling cargo in the ports, and were extended in 2016 for another five years each but the five-year extension also expired in 2021.     

While the government has remained silent on the situation, Organised Labour in the industry, under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN and its Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies, SSASCGOC, counterpart, is not taking it lightly as the development has made the jobs of members insecure. 

At a joint briefing in Lagos, leaders of the MWUN and SSASCGOC, said: “In the face of recent workforce retrenchments; as well as the growing anxiety with regards to our job security in the ports, the Unions urge the Federal Government, FG  to expedite action on the renewal of licences for terminal operators, who have provided a means of livelihood for a large percentage of our teeming members since 2006.

“We wish to note that the Terminal Operators provide employment for majority of our membership cutting across the dock, shipping and seafarers sectors. And so, whatever affects them will inadvertently have direct effect on the welfare of our members and ultimately  lead to their unemployment.

“As it currently stands, the job security of our members which we consider sacrosanct, is unsure as government continues to hold on to renewing the terminal operators’ licences. We therefore aver that the necessary renewal of these licences will provide stability within the workforce . 

Explaining the frustration of Labour over the delay, President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, said: “Let me discuss the issue of terminal operators whose licences have not been renewed. We are unaware of the type of agreement they have with the government, but our primary concern is the welfare of our members. History has taught us a valuable lesson. In 2006, when terminal operators were first introduced, we were assured that no jobs would be lost. However, we fear that history may repeat itself.

“When a third party is hired to manage operations on behalf of the government, and that third party has an agreement with another party (the workers), the workers are always the first to suffer. The current anxiety in the ports is palpable, and industrial peace is under threat due to the uncertainty surrounding the non-renewal of agreements for almost five years.

“If the government fails to renew the agreement, what happens to the workers employed by the terminal operators? We are concerned about their livelihoods, gratuities, and pensions. The government must take responsibility for the workers’ welfare, as they are the ones who gave the terminal operators the job.

“All terminal operators have contributed significantly to the growth of port operations in Nigeria. Yet, the government has not indicated that their services are no longer required. Instead, they continue to use them without renewing their licences. This creates uncertainty for the workers employed by the terminal operators.

“We implore the government to renew the licences of the terminal operators to maintain peace in the ports. While not all terminal operators are equal, we acknowledge the contributions of the indigenous operators who have invested in Nigeria. Unlike foreign investors who repatriate their profits, indigenous operators keep their investments in Nigeria. Therefore, the government should support and encourage them by renewing their licences.”

Tally clerks, gangway securitymen 

Also, the Union raised the protracted issue of tally clerks and on-board ship gangway security men, saying “As a Union and social partner in the enterprise of ensuring a continuous flow of income to the nation, we have continuously called on the relevant authorities to resuscitate the pool of tally clerks and on-board ship gangway security men. We believe that their presence in the ports will strengthen ports income inflow through proper and effective keeping of records of volume of cargoes that come and go out of our ports.

“However, we wish to affirm that Jetties play a very important role as landing and storage points for goods and services. Suffice it to stress that the jetties also dot all nooks and crannies of our littoral charts. But there is a visible lack of presence of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, personnel in these places.

“The absence of these categories of personnel has made the jetties to become a veritable ground for the perpetration of criminal activities and a haven for economic sabotage. This has also led to unchecked influx of banned commodities into the country and a means of loss of huge revenue to the nation.

“Consequently, we advocate for the urgent employment of workers across all maritime agencies such as: NPA, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, NIMASA, and the Nigeria Shippers’ Council to man these areas for efficiency, improved security and resource accumulation. Again, these employments will serve to enhance safety, oversight, and provide more job opportunities for Nigerian youths within the sector.

“We bring attention to the authorities the need for increased personnel to strengthen oversight of dry port operations. This will increase NPA’s involvement in managing these critical areas and boost their financial base. The House Unions urge the FG to act on these requests promptly to ensure a safe, fair, and efficient maritime environment for all stakeholders.”

Harbour bill 

Equally of concern to Labour is the proposed Harbour bill: “We also reiterate our opposition to the Ports and Harbour Bill, which was at the National Assembly. The Unions are resolute in our opposition to this Bill. Giving it any further hearing or consideration by the law makers will lead to colossal job loss as well as loss of revenue to the government. Needless to stress that passage of the Bill can lead to avoidable chaos in the sector and the polity.”

Vanguard News