Nigeria: Fresh Crisis Looms in the Ports Over Sack Threats

LESS than two weeks after activities and operations at the nation's ports were paralysed by protesting dockworkers over alleged inhuman treatment by terminal operators who now run the operational areas in the ports, another crisis is imminent over alleged plan by the management of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to retrench not less than two thousand tally clerks and security personnel charged with verification of cargo at the seaports.

Under the umbrella of Dockworkers Branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the workers are already accusing the management of NPA of attempting to connive with the terminal operators to undermine the nation's security.

President of the Dockworkers branch of MWUN, Comrade Anthony Nted, in a chat with Sunday Vanguard Business, urged the Federal Government to intervene and call both the management of NPA and the Terminal Operators to order to avoid unpleasant situations that could embarrass the nation.

Our investigations revealed that this latest development is sequel to a leaked memo, which part of the contents are recommendations from some concessionnaires (terminal operators) to the NPA management to terminate the services of the tally clerks and security staff.

A visit to Tin-can and Apapa ports in Lagos, last week, revealed that the atmosphere at the ports was charged as the workers appeared to be mobilising for a show down.

Speaking on the matter, Comrade Nted, who confirmed that the Union had been informed of the existence of the said memo, however, urged the minister of transport, Mrs.Deziani Allison-Madueke, to swiftly intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order at ports formations across the country, especially in Lagos, Onne and Warri.

According to him: "We are particularly alarmed because of the security implications that the sacking of these workers will have for the country. How can anyone contemplate laying them off when they are the ones who ensure strict adherence to government regulations and best practices at the ports?"

Comrade Nted argued that if the tally clerks and security personnel were laid off, it would trigger off a regime of massive under-declaration of cargo by importers and exporters and massive revenue losses for the nation.

Comrade Nted warned that should the federal government fail to take a comprehensive and appropriate action on the matter, organised labour in the sector would do everything within its power to frustrate the implementation of the policy and ensure that its members' jobs and the nation's security are not compromised.

It could be recalled that, recently, ports operations across the country were shut by Dockworkers over alleged inhuman treatment by terminal operators whom the workers accused of, amongst other things, perpetrating slave labour and refusal to allow unions. The committee is expected to finish its assignement this week.


Source:allAferica.com