By Uzor Odigbo
Following the shortage of junior workers nationwide in port operations, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), have raised the alarm over the Nigeria Police Force taking over the responsibility of traffic control at the Tin Can Island Port Complex TICPC in Lagos.
The unions reiterated that the port is running out of manpower mostly in the security and traffic departments respectively, which in turn has led to low productivity of the few workers on ground.
Investigation conducted recently confirmed that a total of 24 personnel at TCIPC and KLT Phase 1 and 2 are deployed to manage traffic, a situation the port Police officials have catched in to take charge.
According to a joint statement made available to TheNiche on Monday in Lagos, and addressed to the Chairman, Governing Board of the NPA , the unions maintained that shortage of workers have paved the way for a large number of police personnel taking over NPA responsibilities in port operations.
The joint statement signed by the concerned union groups , namely: Nigerian Ports Senior Staff Association, (NPASSA)Tin Can Island Port Zone and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Tin Can Island Port District, maintained that TCIPC is the busiest port in Africa yet there are shortage of manpower to man strategic positions in furtherance to cover key operational scope.
The statement signed by Comrade C.C Emenike, Comrade STD Asaba, Comrade A .E. Amona and Comrade O. Ameh stressed that the port is faced with with numerous challenges but added that police encroachment was alarming in designated operations strictly for port workers.
“We also observed that a number of the Nigerian Police Force outnumbered the Traffic and security department which ought not to be so with the introduction to ETO’s system.
With this introduction, the number of Policemen should be reduced as the system requires few hands.”
They lamented that the port is faced with influx of unauthorized persons which in turn has constituted security threat due to lack of personnel of main strategic entry points within the complex.
“The port is faced with multiple entry points which allow influx of unauthorized persons which constitute security threats.
“The port is also running on shortage of manpower in various departments not allowing for maximum output.
“This have paved way for a large number of the Nigerian Police over the NPA personnel , thereby making them to take over Nigerian Ports Authority’s responsibilities.
“In view of the above, we are aware of management plans to fence the port and its entirety, we pray that management through the board will expedite action,”the statement said