…As Adeyanju tasks Mobereola to focus on regulating, compelling terminal operators to ensure that the health and welfare of dockworkers are prioritized

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Wednesday emphasized that the safety of dockworkers in their workplace is a right and not a privilege.

The Agency’s Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, made the observation in Lagos during the 2024 Day of the Dockworker commemoration event, urging employers of labour to renew their commitment to improved workplace safety for the Nigerian dockworker.

Mobereola, whose address was delivered by the Agency’s Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr Jibril Abba, also maintained that efficiency in the workplace can only be guaranteed when the safety of dockworkers is assured.

Consequently, he assured stakeholders that under his leadership, the Agency will endeavour to create an environment that enables maritime labour to function according to international best practices.

In his words “NIMASA is committed to supporting you with the tools, resources, and training necessary to enhance efficiency.

“By working smarter, we not only boost our productivity but also ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of our maritime industry on the global stage”, he further said, before announcing the launch of the Reviewed Minimum Standard for Dock Labour Industry booklet at the event, adding: “It is very instructive that we have concluded, as part of the activities of this great day, to launch a document that encapsulates our commitment as an Agency to ensuring that Nigerian dockworkers are treated fairly by the terminal operators and stevedoring companies.”

He added “This document codifies the implementation of approved conditions of service and collective bargaining agreements on minimum standards.”

The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, used the occasion to advocate for employers at the port terminals to provide insurance policies for dockworkers and their families. 

MWUN also called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to focus on regulating and compelling terminal operators to ensure that the health and welfare of dockworkers are prioritized. Adeyanju noted that the inherent risks associated with cargo handling and their unique operations must be considered in line with their well-being.

In his words “As a union we strongly urge the terminal operators to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of dockworkers by providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment. We further advocate for employers to provide group life insurance coverage to all dockworkers, recognizing the inherent risks associated with cargo handling and their unique operations”.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, noted that the dock labour industry is a force to be reckoned with. 

In his paper presentation, delivered by the General Manager of Marine and Operations, NPA, Dr. Charles Okaga, Dantsoho called on other government agencies to support dockworkers in capacity building for effective port terminal operations.

In her address, the Chairperson of the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, described dockworkers as unsung heroes but commended NIMASA for recognizing their contributions.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Mr Abdullahi Bardi, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the full take-off of the institution.

Some stakeholders however think he was merely patronising.

Bardi made the statement on Thursday during an inspection tour of the university’s permanent and temporary sites, alongside members of the council and management.

He said that the initiative aimed to provide the nation’s youth with proper training in the maritime sector to tap into the vast potential of the blue economy.

Bardi expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work at the permanent site, which had delayed the commencement of some university programmes.

He urged the contractors, who have been mobilised, to return to the site within the next three months.

“Everybody is a stakeholder, and every Nigerian wants to see this university take off smoothly, as it is one of the best projects of the Federal Government.

“This is one of the best institutions where our youth can come and learn to become professionals in the maritime sub-sector,” he said.

Bardi emphasised that more stakeholders were getting involved, and there was growing competition.

“Everyone concerned should return to the sites and help make this university work,” he added.

He warned that contractors who had received payments and failed to return to the site would be reported to the relevant authorities.

“We will contact the necessary authorities to ensure contractors return to work or face legal consequences,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Adigio, also noted that the management was awaiting the completion of work at the permanent site.

In the meantime, some industry stakeholders have consistently bemoaned the perceived project execution delays, stressing that the university ought to have gone far, beyond its current lacklustre state.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, okayed an application by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), seeking to sell at least 30 seized and unclaimed vehicles by auction and the proceeds remitted to the Federal Government treasury.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by NCS’s lawyer, Wale Kembi, also granted the plea for an order condemning and forfeiting the vehicles to the security organisation.

“The application is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge said.

The application by the NCS marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1725/2024, dated and filed Nov. 14 by Smart Akande, the applicant sought two orders: “an order of this honourable court condemning and forfeiting to the Nigeria Customs Service the vehicles listed in the schedule marked as Exhibit ‘A’, annexed to the affidavit in support of the motion.

“An order authorising the Nigeria Customs Service to sell the said vehicles by auction, allocation to the members of the public or by any other means that the applicant may deem appropriate and the proceeds realised from such sale be remitted to the Federal Government Treasury.”

Y.M. Ibrahim, an Inspector of Customs, Government Warehouse, Karu, Abuja, deposed to the affidavit in support of the motion.

Ibrahim said he was “conversant with facts and circumstances of all the seizure which constitute the intercepted and apprehended vehicles herein particularised and attached hereto this affidavit and marked as Exhibit ‘A’.”

He said for over one month now, the vehicles mentioned in the internal memo marked as Exhibit ‘A’, attached to the affidavit remained unclaimed after the expiration of time allowed for the clearing at NCS.

He said the seizures were made on the orders and instructions of the Comptroller General of the NCS, as regards the issue of combating the activities of smugglers in Abuja and its environs whose activities constitute great dangers to the health and viability of the Nigerian economy.

“That the owners/consignees/importers and /or their agents, servants or privies and their collaborators hereof at all times material to the seizure of the vehicles attempted to smuggle vehicles and goods into Nigeria as a result of which they were accosted but escaped, thereby abandoning the goods and vehicles for fear of being arrested and prosecuted by the Customs Authority.

“That apart from acts of smuggling and or fraudulent evasion of duty, some of the defaulters brought in outright unlawful, illegal and prohibited items, which are so classified by the Customs Law and Provisions.

“That from the dates of seizure as stated in the schedule attached and marked as Exhibit ‘A,’ nobody has come forward to claim ownership of any of the vehicles thereby rendering them as abandoned seizures.

“That the vehicles were intercepted on the roads within the jurisdiction of this honourable court by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service while the owners ran away and never came to claim for over 30 days.

“That to prevent complete deterioration of the said vehicles and total loss of revenue, the Nigeria Customs Service Board now intends to sell the vehicles by way of auction and allocations in line with Customs laws and provisions.

“That all efforts to apprehend and prosecute the importers or owners of the vehicles have been in vain.

“That the continued detention and keeping of the vehicles contained in the schedule marked as Exhibit ‘A’ has not only resulted in congestion of the Government Warehouse, Karu, Abuja but has occasioned the deterioration of some of the vehicles involved.

“All the vehicles mentioned in Exhibit ‘A’ are at the Nigeria Customs Service, Government Warehouse, Karu, Abuja.

“That there is no pending litigation in respect of the goods listed in Exhibit ‘A’ annexed to the Affidavit.

“That the Nigeria Customs Service Board shall indemnify anybody affected by the Court Order if the order ought not to have been made against the person in the first instance or was obtained fraudulently.

“That there is a need for urgency to seek and obtain the order of this court to enable the applicant to properly dispose of the vehicles,” the officer averred.

Correspondents observe that some of the vehicles include the Nissan Altima with chassis number: IN4BL2LE08N433703; Toyota Hilux with chassis number: MROBX3CD2M2834123; Toyota Hilux, with number:

 MROBXBCO2M2837958; Toyota Hilux, with number: NMROHXBCD5KO932288; and Toyota Landcruiser, JTIWHY7A1504018942.

Others are a Lexus GX460 LEXUS GX<60 with number: JTJBM7FXID5061132; Toyota Hilux with number: MROHX8CDSL1396196; Toyota Hiace Ambulance with number: JTFHXO2PXFO1L02639.

Others are; Toyota Corolla with the number: JTDS4RCEILI006008 and; Toyota RAV4 with the number: JTMGIRFV4KD037292, among others.