“Employ more hands to beef up security at jetties, terminals,” MWUN tells NPA
"Employ more hands to beef up security at jetties, terminals," MWUN tells NPA
In view of the recent infiltration of the country with illicit and controlled drugs through seaports, bonded terminals and jetties, leadership of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called on Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to deploy security to all the facilities
The union through the President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju also called on NPA management to employ more staff if it is understaffed to be able to meet the ends.
Decrying the influx of contrabands through the offdock terminals, Adeyanju believes that if necessary security apparatus is not put on ground, contrabands would not cease from coming in through the jetties.
He queried that why would Customs officials and other government agencies be present at the bonded terminals without NPA being represented?
He advised the management of NPA to hire more hands to secure the facilities adding that after all, it will serve as means of employment for the teeming Nigerians without jobs.
He called for manning of private jetties by personnel of NPA, Police and DSS operatives for effective control and monitoring of the waterways to avoid influx of contrabands.
He called for a thorough examination of all cargoes that come through such facilities by all agencies of government before final exit from the port.
His words, “NPA, Police and even NIMASA officials are supposed to be in those facilities to inspect what are coming out of the terminals but its not like that in this country.
“We are appealing to the new MD of NPA to look into those areas and deploy officials to those facilities as well and if they don’t have enough officials, then management should employ more hands because illegalities will continue to thrive if not checkmated.”
“Our jetties are porous in terms of security . NPA and NIMASA are not visible in those facilities. Those perpetrators that do not believe in the progress of this country will continue to use that means to make money for self gain.
“They will prefer to use off dock instead of the mother port for negative reasons.
“Government should focus more on these bonded terminals and jetties. We will continue to commend the NDLEA for beaming its searchlights to some of those terminals but the jetties too need serious policing by the government as well.
”Over the years, NPA has their staff in the jetties and bonded terminals but the situation have changed . “
