Dockworkers verification and registration are expected to sanitize operations at the port.
By Uzor Odigbo
There are strong indications that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced the much talked about online registration for seafarers and dockworkers in line with the issuance of biometric identity cards.
The move, TheNiche learnt was informed by the yearnings of maritime labour unions to recognize professional and registered workers in the sector.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) over a decade have expressed concerns on the need for the apex maritime regulatory agency to provide the all-important identity cards for the labour workers at the seaports and aboard ships operating in the nation’s territorial waters.
But insider sources disclosed that the agency officials have commenced registration of dockworkers online saying the verification process will be communicated to the unions for further clarification.
According to them, the process is already ongoing and some dockworkers have already indicated interest to register.
They confirmed to our correspondent over the weekend, that the seafarers’ registration process online would also commence in days to come.
Reacting to the development, President General of MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju while addressing members of the union, also stated that the online registration of dockworkers was a welcome development.
Adeyanju maintained that the successful registration exercise of dockworkers would eradicate unregistered workers in port operations noting that the union will support NIMASA to achieve progress with the online application.
According to him, unregistered dockworkers have created problems for the union over the illegalities perpetrated by the unscrupulous workers at the port.
He also stressed the need for NIMASA to carry out an enlightenment programme on how best to sensitize dock workers.
Experts believe that the registration of dockworkers will enhance the credibility of the Nigerian maritime sector
