Just in: Maritime unions reject reintroduction of Port & Harbour Bill.
Just in: Maritime unions reject reintroduction of Port & Harbour Bill.
Segun Oladipupo
Proliferation of ammunition, insecurity and diversion of national wealth into private pockets have been described as the results of the reintroduction of the rested Ports and Harbour bill
In a joint press briefing on Monday by the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), the duo said that bill is being resurrected by unpatriotic politicians.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and the SSASCGOC, Maritime Branch President, Comrade Akinola Bodunde expressed fears over reintroduction of what they describe as obnoxious bill.
Recall that same bill was sponsored in the 8th Assembly but was resisted by the two unions stating that it had negative consequence on the workforce and the society.
The unions expressed surprise that the same bill which was rested some years back is being resuscitated by some individuals in the sector through the back door.
But in a renewed vigour, the two unions rejecting the it, added that if the bill is passed into law, it will have far-reaching grave consequence on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.
They maintained that the bill 8s being sponsored by certain unpatriotic individuals within the maritime sector who are bent on appropriating the common wealth and cornering same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies.
“The Joint House Unions’, MWUN & SSACGOC use this medium to convey our 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.
“We note that the bill as being proposed, if passed into law will render the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) employees jobless and endanger the productivity of other port users. Even more sinister is the proposed idea of the Bill to provide wholly, employments that will not be pensionable as well as not transferable and without access to terminal benefits. This is the height of inconsideration by the proponents of the Bill to the right of workers to the necessary payment for services rendered by a worker, in accordance to known law, industrial relations practice, equity and good conscience.
“It is our belief 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. This is in 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.
“Having said this, We, the two in-house unions in the maritime sector – MWUN & SSASCGOC, will not fold our hands or rest on our oars AND allow few unpatriotic Nigerians within the industry to rip-off the Nation’s common wealth and render OUR sector unproductive via this infamous Bill that will only create poverty, hopelessness, hunger and generate avid bitterness amongst the already impoverished workers and Nigeria citizenry.
“On this note, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria – MWUN and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (Maritime Branch) – SSASCGOC: unequivocally REJECT the Bill seeking to repeal the Act that set up Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in its entirety.
“Consequently, we 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.”
