The Nigerian Ports Authority branch of Senior Staff Association of Communication, Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) has alleged that some private companies are trying to purchase thug boats belonging to the Nigerian Ports Authority, and planning to use same to operate a towage contract with NPA.
The union has equally lambasted port managers of the NPA for failing to maintain tug boats belonging to the organisation and deliberately allowing them to run aground.
The Nigerian Ports Authority branch of Senior Staff Association of Communication, Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) has alleged that some private companies are trying to purchase thug boats belonging to the Nigerian Ports Authority, and planning to use same to operate a towage contract with NPA.
The union has equally lambasted port managers of the NPA for failing to maintain tug boats belonging to the organisation and deliberately allowing them to run aground.
President of the union; Comrade Benson Adegbeyeni in a chat with Shipping Position Daily alleged that the companies involved in the privatization contract of the NPA do not have any tug boat or equipment to work with and that NPA plans to sell off its crafts as scraps to these companies.
He said that even though the tug boats are used to generate money for the government by towing vessels to berth at the port, NPA has failed to maintain the boats.
He reiterated the union’s disagreement with plans by NPA to concession ancillary services, saying that there is need for NPA to approach the Federal Executive Council for approval of new boats.
According to him, there has been an increase in the number of vessels calling at Nigerian ports and there is need for the NPA to increase its boats to service the ships.
"If we are to buy additional tug boats, has NPA written to Federal Executive Council and they did not approve money to buy? These are the services that the port should render and generate money for Nigeria as a whole"
"For the past two years, NPA has been bent on concessioning out the towage functions, claiming that they can no longer maintain them. NPA is supposed to project ahead and increase the tug boats, going by the increase in the number of vessels visiting the port"
"In order to kill the dog we give it all sorts of names, in order for some people to have their way" he said.
Comrade Benson confirmed to our correspondent that a committee had been sent to investigate all the ports in Nigeria and confirm if truly there is need for NPA to farm out its towage functions. The committee only returned back two weeks ago and it is yet to write its report and send same to NPA management.
Speaking on the findings of the committee, Comrade Benson said, "there is no way you can compare the services of Nigerian Ports Authority to that of private individuals, the irony of it is that the people that call themselves expatriates and saying that they have partnership abroad, it is so unfortunate that they don't have a single equipment to work with, it is still the same NPA boat that they want to come and higher to work"
"But we have the tug boats and they are not being maintained, there is no back-up and even when they request money for spare parts, the management does not release money, even to buy ordinary diesel, the port manager did not release money until the tug boat was abandoned and it sank"
"We have traveled round and we have been able to prove them wrong, tell me why we (NPA) cannot provide those services again? Tell me the cause and the way out"
"When we went round, the management was able to know, though management has their own lackadaisical attitude and killing the goose that lay the golden egg, yet they want to keep eating the egg".
Comrade Benson said that there are requirements and the required mileage that the tug boats should work before it goes for maintenance, saying that you must obey the terms and conditions of the manufacturers.
Speaking on the committee’s findings in Warri, Comrade Benson says that despite the fact that they don't have tug boats, NPA workers are berthing and sailing vessels on their own, even though they are supposed to have two boats for each of the ports. He also complained about the absence of pilot quarters to go to high sea and a mooring boat.
"Last year, two of our staff died at Tin Can Island Port after falling into the water during mooring.
"The irony of it is that if the new concessionaire in the privatization contract plans to generate N100 for example, they want to give NPA N20 while they will collect N80, this is the contract"
He vowed that the union will not allow the contractors to take over, even if they have paid money to the NPA.
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