Union decries 70 percent NPA revenue deduction, says FG leading agency into extinction.
Union decries 70 percent NPA revenue deduction, says FG leading agency into extinction.
Segun Oladipupo
The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Maritime Branch, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s 70% revenue collection from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), calling the arrangement unrealistic and unsustainable.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) affiliate said the high cost of diesel and other logistics for day-to-day port operations will soon affect workers’ welfare.
Speaking on Thursday at the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) forum held in Ogun State, SSASCGOC Maritime Branch President Comrade Akinola Bodunde raised concerns about the large revenue deductions by the government and insisted that the NPA should retain a higher percentage.
Bodunde reiterated that the deduction issue is giving management headaches, adding that while the NPA is a service provider in port operations, the pressure is becoming unbearable.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the NPA, the unionist said dredging and port modernization loans will consume huge portions of revenue, and called for a review of the government’s revenue-sharing formula.
He said: “We have been raising this issue since it was 50–50, before the recent change to 70–30 in April.
“We want to exhaust all options with government because we are committed to the authority and do not want the NPA to collapse.
“The deductions are giving us major challenges because we have many obligations, including third-party contracts, dredging and World Bank loan repayments. The NPA cannot cope given the volume of activities and services it provides.
“All the ports consume diesel,and diesel is very expensive, the World Bank loan deductions have commenced, and dredging of the ports is ongoing , therefore where will the fund come from?.
“We are appealing to the government because the NPA cannot cope with retaining only 30 percent.”
He added that negotiations with the government would continue to preserve the existence of the NPA, warning that the federal government’s heavy financial demands are strangling the authority.
Speaking at the 53rd JCC forum, Bodunde commended NPA management for its support since inception and praised the cooperative relationship between management and the union.
