The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) – Maritime Branch, have rejected the National Assembly’s recent push to pass the controversial Port and Harbour Bill.
The Bill, which seeks to repeal the Act that sets up the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), will fuel insecurity in the country, and lead to massive job losses in the sector, they stated.
At a joint press conference held in Lagos on Monday, the unions, represented by Comrade Adewale Adeyanju for MWUN, and his NPA counterpart, Comrade Akinola Bodunde alleged an attempt to sneak in the bill into legislation through the back door.
They cited that the proposed bill was previously halted due to the opposition from well-meaning Nigerians in the 8th National Assembly in 2018. The Bill aims to privatize operations within harbours, jetties, and terminals. They emphasize that this move could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s security.
They also pointed out that certain individuals within the maritime sector were exploring selfish interests at the expense of the nation’s welfare.
“We had hoped the 10th National Assembly would prioritize solving the longstanding issues plaguing our ports, rather than attempting to privatize and misappropriate public infrastructure for individual gain”.
The Unions expressed worry that the bill if passed would have potential negative impact on jobs within the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“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.
“It is our believe that allowing this Bill to be passed into law will effectively institutionalize 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, Bola 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 and 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”.
“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 are therefore demand for its withdrawal in its entirety worry the laid down laws”, the unions vowed.
