The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has reportedly called on the Federal Government to compel International Oil Companies (IOCs) functioning in the country to obey the Marine Notice 106 of 2014 and permit stevedoring firms to deploy dockworkers into platforms to keep away industrial unrest.
Marine Notice 106 stipulates that operators of jetties, ports, onshore or offshore, oil and gas or bonded terminals, off-dock terminals, inland container depots, dry docks and platforms, and other work locations are to allow duly appointed stevedoring firms access to premises to render stevedoring activities.
They spoke at the union’s National Executive Council meeting held in Lagos, the President-General, Com. Adeyanju Adewale mentioned that it’s regretted that IOCs had refused compliance with the said government Marine Notice 106 from 2014 when it was issued.
The IOCs have gone on to disobey extant stevedoring rules and regulations that stipulate that they employ the services of stevedoring companies licensed by the NPA to keep working in their oil and gas platforms. This is despite numerous engagements to make them conform to regulating labour laws and standards.
Consequently, they have been compelled to use the occasion to call on the country’s government to make the IOCs respect sovereign laws in compliance with global standards to prevent disruptions in service delivery in the formations, whether onshore or offshore.
Speaking at the event, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), reportedly appealed to the union’s leadership to give the government adequate time to solve the issue.
Mohammed Bello-Koko, the MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was represented by Ahmad Umar, the GM of Human Resources, mentioned the authority had taken approval to recruit more employees and address the lapses in worker shortage.
Per him, the NPA has an inverted pyramid structure with more senior officers occupying larger numbers than a junior workforce.
The NPA is worried about the dwindling numbers regarding staffing; the MD is keen on this issue and has obtained approval to employ more staff than officers. This will help increase the numbers, strengthen the union, and address most issues raised, so it can be assured that the NPA is addressing the problem.
The NPA today boasts an inverted pyramid model; there is a significant number of officers more than the staff, the issue will be resolved, and the numbers will increase.
Source: Hellenic Shipping News
