Adeyanju says the absence of onboard security personnel is the reason for the rising insecurity at the seaport.
By Eberechi Obinagwam,
The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Prince Abdulwaeed Adeyanju, has urged the federal government of Nigeria to bring back the services of the onboard security men in the port saying that their absence is the major cause of insecurity at the seaport.
Adeyanjo stated this on Tuesday in Lagos while speaking with the labour writers association of Nigeria on the challenges facing the maritime sector.
According to him, “these people (onboard security personnel) were the ones check listing the activities in the seaports. They alert us on any vessel carrying fake drugs or goods. They fish out the bad from the good. Their suspension has been the cause of insecurity in the port. FG should bring them back because they are losing a lot in revenue. Nobody is in the seaport to monitor how many barrels come in. A vessel with 45 tonnes can claim it is 35 because no one is checkmating them.”
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Pointing out their challenges too, he said inadequate staff in the Nigeria Port Authority is a major challenge.
”There is a need for more employment, we need more staff to NPA. The federal government should employ more capable hands. As the union is promoting its workers to higher positions, the vacancies left should be filled and salaries of both junior and senior staff should be reviewed,” Adeyanju said.
On the issue of retirement of the shipping men, Adeyanju said it is like a death sentence, pointing out that it is where the union is having challenges on the staff welfare and ensured that it will be looked at.
Another challenge he plotted out was the issue of bad roads which he said is affecting investors. “The bad road has made us lose so many investors. Many of them have packed out to the neighbouring countries,” he said.
He, therefore, gave assurance that the road will be free by December for business as work is in progress even as he faults contractors for delays.
