….NPA urges host community support
By Uzor Odigbo
The concessionaire of the Warri Port Terminal B, Ocean& Cargo Terminal Services Limited, has taken possession of the terminal after the formal handing over by both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
The handing over was done by the Managing Director, NPA, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr.Sokonte Davies, and Director General, BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh.
At the ceremony, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, while pledging the support of her agency to the concessionaire, urged the host communities to cooperate with the company in order for it to operate successfully at the port.
She said: “It is our duty as NPA to achieve an efficient and profitable port management in the country. We are delighted that another milestone is recorded today with this hand over to Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited, the winner of the competitive bidding process for the terminal. Be rest assured that NPA will provide the necessary support to help you settle down and operate successfully.
“Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to the host communities to support this company because the presence and smooth operations of this new business will greatly impact the local economy around here.”
On his part, Mr. Alex Okoh described the bidding process that led to the concession as very transparent, adding that the best bidder eventually emerged as the winner.
He further urged the concessionaire to abide by the terms of the contract agreement while reiterating the stance of BPE to monitor the company’s operations for strict agreement compliance.
He said: “Port constitutes a strategic gateway to the country and the nation’s economic prosperity depends to a large extent on how efficient the maritime industry fares. That’s the major reason the industry has received a great attention from this administration. We also recognized that port efficiency can best be achieved with the private sector involvement. That’s why we are delighted that this terminal will soon enjoy the level of efficiency that other concessioned terminals across the country have been exposed to over the years.”
Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, the concessionaire’s lead partner, promised that the company would deliver on the mandate of running an efficient port that will be a pride of all Nigerians. He anchored his confidence on the pedigree of the partners that has spanned over three decades in the maritime industry.
He pledged that areas like customer service, investment in human capital and equipment as well as partnership with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders will receive deserving attention by the company.
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, said the new business will not only stimulate economic activities in the local communities, but also contribute greatly to the country’s economic prosperity.[2/14, 5:32 AM] Roland Ekama: MWUN Boss Threatens To Sack Erring District, Unit Chairmen Over CBA With Concessionaires
The President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) ,Comrade Adewale Adeyanju has threatened to sack erring districts and units chairmen over Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with terminal operators.
Adeyanju who disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with members, dockworkers branch of the union,warned leaders at ports level not to connive or compromise with management of the concessionaires against the CBA otherwise their job will be at stakes.
While reacting on Monday’s actions of some of workers who picketed the corporate office of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),Marina Lagos , over delay in payment of onboard security and tally clerks,the union’s boss called on members to exercise patience ,even as he assured that the agency would fulfill their promises in no distance time.
He attributed the delay of payment by management of NPA to the general elections adding that the conclusion of the verification exercise would lead to a meeting between the agency and the union.
He noted the CBA is solely the responsibility of the terminal operators and union executive adding that there will no delay this time around when the elections are concluded.
He maintained that the stevedoring companies have no role in the new CBA reached with the terminal operators and federal government.
The union President maintained that the union is engaging with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) despite completion of the verification exercise held last December.
“We have reached out with all the terminal operators in Nigeria on the CBA and the agreement is quite clear of the members who work in the ports.
“I also warn the districts and units heads to enforce the CBA agreement from page one to the end because there is what we call in house agreement , branch and national.
“And that is why I am giving that order to sanction any of them found wanting.
Some of them would hold the agreement letter in their hand but will choose not to implement it and that is why we said any district or unit chairman who connive or choose not to enforce that agreement for the interest of the workers and the union ,then that person will be sanctioned.