By Uzor Odigbo
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, has expressed satisfaction over the scientific method by the maritime unions in approaching issues on workers’ welfare and negotiation with management.
Usman, who also lauded leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Governmemt Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) Maritime Branch, for purchasing vehicles for operational convenience for its members, made the submission in Lagos during the commissioning and allocation of seven Toyota Sienna to the various zones of the union across the nation’s ports.
The union had purchased seven vehicles for members in furtherance to ease movement and operations across the various zones.
Before the commissioning, the NPA boss described the feat as first of its kind, saying it was typical for union leaders to divert cash for selfish gains but expressed shock to see that the leadership of SSASCGOC utilised members’ funds for developmental projects.
The managing director, who was represented at the occasion by the General Manager, Human Resources, NPA, Mrs.Harirat Mohammed, advised the union to continue in its present stead to achieving more feats.
According to her, the two unions in the maritime sector have proven to be scientific in their approach with management of NPA over workers’ welfare and negotiation , adding that gone were the days of hooliganism, walk away from meetings and display of high-handedness .
Her words: “The message from the MD is that this is something that has not happened before, and as she always tells administrative employees about vehicles, she wishes that you maintain these vehicles and used them for the purpose for which they were bought.
“She prays for more and more success, togetherness, progress.”
