Maritime industry crucial to actualising FG’s ERGP  – SGF

The federal government has said that the nation’s maritime industry is pivotal to the success of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),  Boss Mustapha at the year 2017/2018 Long Service Award Ceremony of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) held over the weekend.

According to the SGF who was represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, nothing can be more gratifying to a dedicated worker than recognition and celebration.

He however commended the board management of the authority for resuscitating the long service award.

He said, “I want  you to be conscious of the fact that the maritime sector where you operate is very pivotal to the actualisation of the laudable objectives of this administration as enunciated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

“Nothing can be more gratifying to a dedicated worker than recognition and celebration, and I want to commend the Board and Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority for the foresight that birthed this occasion, which I understand has not held in a long time.”

“Recognition and rewards mean more when they are publicly communicated. So by going beyond communicating through e-mails, or newsletters to organizing a prestigious event of this magnitude, the Management of NPA has demonstrated the high premium it places on its human resource.”

Mustapha stated that the award ceremony was inline with the next level agenda of President Buhari which prioritise the welfare of workers in the country.

“Indeed, this award ceremony is very much in harmony with the imperatives of the Next Level Agenda which is to make Nigerians reap the rewards of our collective patrimony. As you would have noticed, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration prioritises the welfare of its workers regardless of whether they are still in service or retired.

“This is evident in the commitment of the government to implement the new minimum wage as well as the payment of the pensions and gratuities of former employees of Nigerian Airways amongst others. The administration will leave no stone unturned towards rewarding the dedication of its workforce.”

“I want to congratulate the employees being honoured today for the quality and quality of service that you have given to the NPA over the past few years. I am confident that you will continue to remember today as a copious indication of your country’s appreciation of your service.

I am confident that this would also encourage you and your colleagues not to rest on your laurels, but give more to the Nigerian Ports Authority

Speaking earlier, the managing director of NPA, Hajia Hadiza Bala-Usman has assured workers that the authority will continue to strive to improve the relationship between management and staff.

She said this would inculcate a sense of ownership in everyone in other to bring out dreams for the NPA to fruition.

Her words, “We understand that the workforce is an integral part of whatever good stories we would be able to achieve and tell about our initiatives, hence the determination to periodically show appreciation for the dedication of staff.

Tonight therefore, we are gathered here to honor our long – serving and dedicated employees of 25 years upwards and at the same time celebrate those who have demonstrated excellence by achieving uncommon feats in the course of duty.

But beyond these regular recognitions of serving and retiring staff members, management considers putting a well-motivated workforce with the requisite character, competence, and capacity to optimize our rich maritime endowments in place, as part of the dreams of building a new and culture in the Authority.

Without this, the sustainability of the reforms we have undertaken so far, as well the audacious goals we are poised to achieve as enunciated in the 25-year Port Development Plan would remain unattainable.

The MD stated further that the recent thorough review of the Authority’s condition of service was to make it world class.

“The recent thorough review of our condition of service with robust provisions aimed at equipping our employees to be best-in-class in the Industry. We have also worked towards correcting all the previous anomalies in the salary structure as we are ensuring justice in the career progression of personnel.

“We are taking the totality of the wellbeing of personnel seriously. As we consider the need to train and retrain towards building capacity to cope with the dynamism of our industry, we have been also paying attention to the health and mental needs of our staff. The goal is to be a competent and committed workforce our collective interests.

“Let me seize this opportunity to say that our drive towards attaining the Occupational Health and Safety Standards (OHSAS 18001) and ISO 9002 compliance status- the core of which is the enhancement of the workers’ well-being is in top gear. We are not resting on our laurels until this is achieved.