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Maritime workers threaten to shut port operations
Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Friday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to compel the International Oil Companies (IOCs) over refusal to allow Stevedoring companies and Dockworkers into their operational areas as required by law in the past eight years.
MWUN President-General, and Secretary-General, Adeyanju Adewale and Felix Akingboye, in a statement warned that if at the expiration of the ultimatum the Union’s demand is not met, all ports operations nationwide would be shut down until the demand are met.
The Union decried the alleged silence of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and ultimately the Federal Government to the non – compliance of the IOCs to extant Stevedoring regulations and the Marine/Government Notice No. 106 on Stevedoring regulations, 2014 issued by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
MWUN , in the statement said, “We wish to point out that the extant stevedoring/ marine notice is the operational guidelines to all dock labour employers and private operators of any work location including Ports, Jetties, Onshore or Offshore Oil and Gas or bonded terminals, inland container depots (ICDs), off-dock terminals, dry ports and platforms. The law stipulates that government-appointed and NIMASA registered stevedores and Dockworkers shall be allowed access by the IOCs to the operational areas allocated to them by the NPA.
“We wish to further draw the public attention to the repressive practice of the IOCs by denying our members (Dockworkers), access to their operational areas and consequently, denying the Dockworkers the opportunity to earn wages. To worsen the matter, these IOCs have flooded the operational areas with aliens/foreigners at the expense of local workers and in breach of statutory regulations including the Local Content Act, NIMASA and NPA acts that prescribe indigenising of the workforce.
“It will be recalled that this matter became worrisome in 2018 which forced the Union to declare a three-day national strike before the intervention of Ministry of Transportation which summoned a stakeholders’ meeting including the IOCs and the Union. At the end, a communique was reached on how to address the matter.
“It is regrettable that up till now, the content of the communique has not been implemented. It is also very painful and sad that the Federal Government and its agencies especially the Ministry of Transportation and NPA, for the past four years have failed to compel the IOCs to not only comply with the statutory regulations, but to also comply with the communique reached at the stakeholders’ meeting of 2018,” the statement continued.
The workers added that they have endured enough promises and the usual government gimmicks of ‘we are looking at the matter’.
The statement added, “After several deceptions and unfulfilled promises, we decided to take our destiny in our hands. We believe that these IOCs have somethings to hide which they do not want Nigerians to be aware of, and this is especially bothersome in this era of increasing insecurity across the country.
“We need to ask why the IOCs are afraid to allow registered and approved Stevedores and Dockworkers access to their operational areas as prescribed by the law. The Federal Government and our members (Dockworkers) have lost huge sum of money both in revenue and wages.
“In view of the continued denial of our members (Dockworkers) employment opportunities by the IOCs at designated oil and gas locations with its negative impact on the welfare of our members, in addition to their continued disrespect for our laws, we are constrained to issue a 7 -day ultimatum starting from today Friday 9th April 2021 to the Federal Government, the NNPC, NPA and NIMASA, to as a matter of national interest, immediately compel the IOCs to comply and obey the statutory regulations, and also implement the communique earlier reached”.
The Union further declared that failure of the government and its agencies to compel the IOCs to comply with the rules on or before the expiration of this seven- day ultimatum, it will have no option than to shut down all forms of operations at the ports, terminals, jetties and other cargo handling locations in the country to press home their demands.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has conferred its prestigious fellowship on Engr. Aderemi Oseni and 177 other members, urging them to promote Nigerian content and uphold the highest standards of the profession.
The conferment ceremony, held on Thursday in Abuja, brought together engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to celebrate excellence in the field.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State and serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has been a Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE) for over a decade. He is also a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a member of several international professional bodies, including the London Institute of Engineers and Technicians and the Nigeria Association of Technological Engineers.
Speaking shortly after receiving the fellowship, the lawmaker dedicated the award to God and the entire engineering community, expressing his commitment to upholding the principles of the profession.
“It is another great day. I feel very excited, and it was an opportunity for me to reconnect with some of my old colleagues, people I had lost contact with for quite a while,” he said. “Having been conferred as a fellow, it is an opportunity for us to continue to do the good work that we have been doing as professionals.”
At a dinner organised in honour of the new fellows, NSE President Margaret Oguntala lauded the awardees for their dedication to innovation and nation-building. She noted that Nigerian engineers had been instrumental in advancing critical sectors, including infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and information technology. She emphasised that the recognition was not just an honour but a responsibility to uphold the integrity and standards of the profession.
Oguntala further charged the new fellows to be ambassadors of engineering excellence and to conduct themselves with dignity befitting their status. “It behoves you to carry the banner of our society high anywhere you go,” she said. “We also expect you to carry yourselves always with the dignity and comportment that this fellowship bestows on you.”
She stressed the need for engineers to play a greater role in national development, advocating for collaborations across sectors to address pressing challenges such as infrastructure deficits, poverty alleviation, and job creation. “The collective strength of engineers alongside other professionals will undoubtedly unlock the potential that will bring about the much-needed development in our country,” she said. She urged them to be torchbearers of progress, quality, and sustainability in their respective fields.
The Chairman of the NSE Board of Fellows, Maliki Kamila, highlighted the rigorous selection process for the fellowship, describing it as the highest honour any practising engineer in Nigeria can attain. “These eminent professionals are commended for having scaled through the procedures for screening and assessment, as the process has remained very thorough but fair,” he said. Despite NSE’s membership strength of about 82,000, he noted that only a select percentage had been elevated to the fellowship grade.
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, commended the NSE for its contributions to national development. Represented by Malam Bala Ibrahim, Secretary to the State Government, he urged engineers to remain committed to nation-building and to uphold the ethics of the profession in all their endeavours.
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted undeclared foreign currency amounting to $1,154,900 and SR135,900 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State.
The NCS Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the seizure in a statement on Thursday, noting that the money was confiscated during a routine baggage check.
According to Maiwada, the foreign currency was found in the luggage of an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who had arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
“During the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs, locally referred to as Dabino,” he stated.
Seizure in Line with Financial Regulations
The NCS reiterated that the interception aligns with its mandate to enforce financial regulations and prevent illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement read.
Following the investigation, a court convicted the suspect and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government, in accordance with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
Customs Warns Against Non-Compliance
Maiwada emphasised that all travellers must adhere to Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly regarding the declaration of cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when entering or leaving the country.
“The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties,” he warned.
The Service further urged the public to comply strictly with these regulations to avoid legal repercussions.
Commitment to Economic Protection
Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.
“This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations,” Maiwada stated.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to working with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to enhance border security, strengthen financial compliance, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.
“Travellers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices,” he added.
The Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has expressed solidarity with traders who suffered losses in the recent fire outbreak at Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan.
The inferno, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, engulfed parts of the bustling commercial hub, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, but the extent of destruction has drawn widespread sympathy from political leaders, business stakeholders, and the general public.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the lawmaker described the incident as a tragic setback for hardworking traders who rely on the market for their livelihood. He urged government agencies at all levels to swiftly intervene and support the victims in rebuilding their businesses.
“I stand in solidarity with the traders and entrepreneurs of Aleshinloye Market in this difficult time. This disaster is a painful reminder of the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures in our marketplaces. I urge both the Oyo State Government and federal agencies to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions to support those affected,” he said.
Oseni also emphasised the importance of proactive disaster management strategies, calling for the implementation of modern fire prevention infrastructure in major markets across the state. He further encouraged well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations, and relevant authorities to extend support to the affected traders.
The lawmaker reiterated his commitment to advocating for policies that protect small business owners from unforeseen disasters, stressing the need for a collaborative approach to safeguarding the economic interests of traders and artisans.
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