Maritime Workers Petition Minister Over Critical Port Security and Revenue Losses
The Maritime Workers' Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a pressing appeal to the Federal Government, calling for urgent intervention to reinstate tally clerks and on-board gangway security personnel across the nation's ports and jetties. In a formal petition addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, the union emphasized that the continued absence of these workers poses severe economic and security threats to Nigeria's maritime sector.
Union Highlights Existential Problem in Maritime Operations
Signed by the Secretary-General of MWUN, Comrade Oniha Erazua, the letter described the situation as a "fundamental and existential problem" within the industry. It detailed the complete lack of tally clerks, gangway security personnel, and regulatory agency presence at ports, terminals, jetties, and oil and gas platforms nationwide. According to MWUN, this gap has allowed terminal operators to bypass maritime labour laws, specifically the Stevedoring Regulations 2014, by employing unregistered dockworkers.
Economic and Security Risks Amplified by Worker Absence
The union warned that the absence of tally clerks has led to under-declaration of cargo, resulting in significant revenue losses for the country. Additionally, the lack of on-board gangway security men has contributed to growing security lapses, including unchecked arms trafficking and handling of contraband goods. MWUN stressed that this has made Nigeria's port environments increasingly porous, with no fewer than 243 operational jetties across the country currently functioning without effective supervision from key regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Demands for Immediate Restoration and Regulatory Action
Describing the development as a breach of statutory maritime obligations, MWUN reiterated its demand for the immediate restoration of the affected categories of workers under a regulated pooling system. Key demands include:
- Initiating executive action to reinstate tally clerks and gangway security personnel across all ports.
- Establishing a central pool managed by NIMASA for their engagement and deployment.
- Issuing directives to NIMASA and NPA to recruit and deploy personnel responsible for monitoring compliance with maritime operations and labour laws across ports, dry ports, bonded terminals, and jetties.
Long-Standing Issue with Unresolved Appeals
The union noted that similar appeals had been made in previous correspondences dating back to 2021 and 2023, alongside reports and memoranda submitted by stakeholders, but lamented that the issue remains unresolved. MWUN expressed hope that the Minister would act swiftly to address what it described as a long-standing challenge with far-reaching implications for national security and revenue generation, urging prompt action to safeguard Nigeria's maritime interests.
