Gloom as NPA Moves to Lay Off 5,000 Dockworkers

Palpable fear has gripped employees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), following reports that about 5,000 dockworkers would be laid off  by December 15, 2015.

The list of the affected dockworkers who are members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) were said to have been compiled a fortnight ago.

The NPA was said to have decided  to lay off the dock workers, because it wants to distance itself from the engagement of the tally clerks and on-board security men currently engaged in stevedoring firms operating in each of the seaports across the country.

There were insinuations in some quarters that NPA plans to engage the services of cargo surveyors to replace the tally clerks after sacking the dockworkers.

THISDAY checks revealed that NPA has already written a letter to 10 stevedoring firms notifying them of its decision to disengage from the tally clerks and on-board security men by December 15, 2015 is irreversible.
It was gathered that the affected stevedoring firms are the employers of the embattled dockworkers, who are presently engaged in Lagos port, Tin Can Island port, Onne port, Rivers and Calabar ports while the firms are Matral Marine Services, Bashisa Global Limited, Westland International, Dockworth Services International, Longshore Stevedoring (all in Lagos Port Complex).

Others are: Excellent Dominion, Blue Ocean Cargo Handling (both in Tin can Port).

Also affected are: Patrade Nigeria Ltd (Rivers port), Insight Marine Ltd (Onne port) and Fairdeal Agency Ltd (Calabar port)..

According to the letter,  which was signed by NPA Executive Director, Marine and Operations, David Omonibeke, the outcome of the decision followed the result of meetings with stakeholders.

"Sequel  to the stakeholders meeting held at Best Western Hotel, Vitoria Island on the 10th of November 2015, management has resolved to discontinue with the services of Tally clerks and on-board security men based on the fact that the Authourity has ceded cargo handling to terminal operators in the concessioned areas. The terminal operators are responsible for stevedoring in their respective areas as provided in the concession agreements, the letter said.

According to the letter, NPA directed personnel to stop accepting bills from the stevedoring companies as from December 15, 2015 when the current contract will expire.

Though MWUN leadership could not be reach for comments, impeccable sources said that the union will have to seek alternatives to letting its members loose.

The source added that the union has to find a way to ensure that they continue to work as the it is being proactive about it.

There was tension and palpable fear as the reality of the 5000 tally worker sack hit MWUN in the face.

Already, there is apprehension that the nation’s ports may be returning to the pre-port concession era, when the union paid the dockworkers and there was no order.

According to one of the stevedoring firms’ promoters who preferred anonymity, if you remember, the MWUN was collecting wages from the ship owners and the NPA and paying the dockworkers. It was very chaotic. It took the determination of  Chief Ojo Maduekwe as Minister of Transportation to put a stop to the malaise.

He also noted that the dockworkers were all registered by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

At the November 10 stakeholders’ meeting where the NPA indicated that it would ‘sack’ the dockworkers, the National Association of Stevedoring Companies had  warned that at the expiration of their contracts with NPA, there must not be a vacuum in the operations of tally clerks and on-board security men, because this is an integral part of port operations.

But, President of the Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Companies, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola has kicked against the move by NPA, saying that it will render 10,000 Nigerians jobless.

Bolaji stated that as employers of dockworkers, the association is aware of the move by NPA and that it is already talking with the Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi to call NPA to order.

He expressed worries that even though the Federal Government is battling to create‎ employment in fulfillment of its 'change' mantra, the NPA is throwing spanners in the works of the government.