NIMASA Institutionalize Celebration Of Day Of Dockworkers Annually

By Chinonye Anyatonwu

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, has stated the agency move to institutionalize the celebration of the ‘Day of the Dockworker’ in Nigeria annually, while encouraging employers of dockworkers to provide pension schemes for their workers. The NIMASA DG made this statement during the maiden celebration of the nation’s Dockworkers Day held at the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Sports Centre, Surulere, Lagos, on Thursday. Jamoh mention the need for Stakeholders to adhere strictly to high safety standards in their operations to stem the tide of Industrial accidents in our Ports, Jetties and Terminals. Stressing that Dock Labour Employers are emplored to ensure that the Dockworkers are adequately compensated in the event of accident or death in line with the Employee Compensation Act.

In his words, “As we celebrate today, it is important to put in perspective the plight of the dockworkers who spent the greater part of their active years in the dock, with little or nothing to show for it at the end of their working years. The point here is that as employers of labour, should endeavour to put in place a contributory pension scheme for the dockworkers and ensure prompt remittance of both Employers’ and Employees’ contributions at the end of the month.” The NIMASA boss stated that the event is a move by the agency to institutionalize the celebration of the ‘Day of the Dockworker’ in Nigeria annually, even as he stressed the need for operators and dockworkers’ Employers to ensure adequate remuneration for enhanced productivity at ports, jetties and terminals. Jamoh, however, reassured that NIMASA is committed to developing an indigenous maritime capacity through the training and re-training of the dock labour force, to make them more vibrant and amenable to current trends in the shipping industry. He also asked the operators of private jetties and oil and gas terminals to grant operational access to the Stevedoring contractors appointed by the Honorable Minister of Transport , to enable them carry out stevedoring activities in the assigned operational areas. This has become necessary given the numerous complaint by these Stevedores in this regard. Similarly, in recognizing the role of dockworkers and their valuable contributions within Ports and Terminals all over the world which has been well acknowledged, NIMASA within the ambits of its regulatory purview has deemed it necessary to institutionalize the celebration of the ‘Day of the Dockworker’ in Nigeria annually. We are confident that this celebration would instill a sense of inclusion, value and dignity amongst dockworkers and boost their contributions to the sector. “Let me assure you that the Agency under my watch will strive to create the enabling environment for Maritime Labour to operate in line with International best practices. As the competent Authority for the implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and Regulations, the Agency will also conduct its maritime-related affairs in the spirit of consultation with all relevant Stakeholders aimed at promoting a decent work Agenda and moving the Industry Forward. “As a Maritime Safety Administration, the Agency is committed to developing an indigenous Maritime capacity through the training and re-training of the Dock Labour force, to make them more vibrant and amenable to current trends in the Industry. NIMASA boss therefore enjoin all Maritime Stakeholders and operators including Dock Labour Employers, to collaborate with the Agency towards making Nigeria the number one Maritime Nation in Africa. The President General of Maritime Worker’s Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who is also the Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), thanked the NIMASA management for organizing the event to celebrate Nigerian dockworkers in recognition of the important role played by them. In attendance at the event were representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity; Nigerian Ports Authority; Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASA). According to Comrade Adeyanju, July 7th is marked as ‘The Global Day of Action’ and is organized by the International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC) and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

The role of Dockworkers is vital and crucial to Ports Operation, without Dockworkers, we cannot talk of effective Port Operations. Yet, over time,they were not given their due recognition. It is against this background that l, on behalf of the entire membership of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria(MWUN) , commend the untiring and far reaching intervention of Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR and Engr. (Barr.) Victor Ichie, and their team, fir granting us the pivot and means to celebrate THE DOCKWORKERS. Adeyanju commended the employers and the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria(STOAN) able led by Dr. Chief Princess Vicky Hassan, for their constant support for the improvement and welfare of dockworkers. He emphasized on the need for port access road to really be looked into as it is of huge impact on the Maritime industry activities happening within the port. He equally congratulate the Managing Director of Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited(PTML) Nigeria for acquiring "MV GREAT LAGOS" a Roll-on-Roll- OFF -Vessel, which promises to boost the nations revenue base and the creation of more jobs. Consequently, we wish to appeal to other Terminal operators to emulate this gesture and invest more in the Maritime sector.