On attempting to surreptitiously sneak the already rejected Port and Harbour Bill into legislation, the leadership 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 (Maritime Branch (SSASCGOC) have carpeted the National Assembly and took it to public court.
The Leadership(s) 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 (Maritime Branch – SSASCGOC: hereby ALERTthe general public to the renewed attempt by the National assembly to sneak the Port and Harbour Bill into Legislation through the back door.
The unions noted that the 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.
The unions stressed 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 same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies.
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, stake holders and the exerted efforts of the two in-house unions- MWUN & SSASCGOC, who mutually and strongly affirmed their opposition towards the proposed hellish Bill.
The Joint House Unions’, MWUN & SSACGOC use this medium to convey their believe 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 will not be allowed to come to fruition.
The unions pointed. out that the deplorable state of the various nation’s seaports, decrepit state of port access roads, collapsing quay aprons, and the general failure of infrastructures within our ports
The unions advised the 10th National Assembly to find solutions to the myriad of problems bedeviling the ports, terminals, jetties and Oil and Gas platforms and even the need to dredge all the ports particularly Calabar, Warri, Onne etc for increased efficiency.
The unions also kicked against misappropriation of public infrastructure through unfriendly legislation for the benefit of individuals whose only interest is capital accumulation and not the general public .
The unions believe that allowing this Billed to be passed into law will effectively institutionalize the evil concept of casualization of workers and as well negate the provisions of the Pension reform Act 2004 as amended.
Th y said that it’s direct contrast to the avowed promises of Mr.. President – Asiwaju 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.
“Consequently 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.
“As addendum, we wish to further draw the attention of the Federal government to the duplication of functions of MDAs within the maritime sector. To this end, we urge the government to define clearly the functions of each government Agencies to avoid unnecessary conflict of functions.
“Also, there is 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,” the union leaders stated.
