NIMASA set to revive Dockworkers annual celebration

Tayo Oladipupo |

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has assured leaders of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) that the annual “Dockworkers Day” celebration would be revived, as appreciation for the workers’ industrial harmony in seaport operations.

Labour workers all over the world celebrate “Dockworkers Day” on the 7th of July every year.

In Nigeria, the celebration was last held in 2012, under the leadership of Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the present President General of MWUN when he was the Dockworkers’ branch President of the union.

Speaking during a working visit by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Alhaji Ahmed Gambo recently, noted that the agency would support the union in appreciating efforts of the dockworkers to the growth of nation’s economy adding that the union and the agency were partners in progress.

The Executive Director commended the labour group for the peace and harmony recorded in the maritime community for a very long period, pointing out the need to celebrate the Dockworkers

He assured that the dockworkers day would be celebrated like what is obtainable for the seafarers which he said would be an annual celebration in Nigeria and indeed the world.

Speaking earlier, President General of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, reminded the NIMASA boss of the dockworkers and seafarers biometric identity card renewal, saying that unregistered dockworkers are encroaching the jobs of legitimate dockers.

Adeyanju maintained that the current union under his leadership is more organized which has been adopting dialogue and negotiations in resolving labour issues.

He noted that “The renewal of biometric identity card for seafarers and dockworkers is a burning issue that is long overdue.

“We urged the agency to expedite action on the biometric identity card renewal because most of our jobs are being taken over by unregistered dockworkers at ports and jetties”.

He also lauded the apex maritime regulatory agency for manpower development programme for seafarers.

He added that the certification exercise put in place by the agency for seamen deserves commendations by the union.