The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said it will no longer condone poor safety standard by seaports terminal operators which, according to the union, has led to the incessant accident accidents, leading to death and permanent disability to many members.
The union however warned the concessionaires that issues associated with safety standards will no longer be compromised in port operations, stressing the need for all terminal operators to put in place adequate safety measures.
Addressing journalists last week in Lagos at the Dockworkers Branch Secretariat of the President General of MWUN; Comrade Anthony Nted Emmanuel reiterated that most of the terminals lack the right safety equipment.
Nted also lampooned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for failing to live up to expectations as regards safety standards at the seaports.
He maintained that NIMASA lacklustre attitude in the area safety standard paved the way for the concessionaires to default in provision of necessary facilities needed at their facilities.
“We are compelled by the unacceptable rate of industrial accidents resulting in deaths and permanent disabilities on our members arising from poor safety standards in our terminals to warn all terminal operators that our union will no longer accept any compromise of safety standards in any operational areas or terminals in our ports", he stated.
Nted added that, "the management of NIMASA is reminded to be alive to its obligation of monitoring and ensuring the sustenance of high safety standards in our seaports".
The union's President General further disclosed that a committee will be set up to assess operational activities of the concessionaires, even as he instructed the President of the dockworkers branch to ensure that there is no compromise in the process of monitoring activities of the terminal operation in the area of provision of safety equipment.
Discussion about this post