Maritime Worker Union Begs FG To Resolve Issues With Intels

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria ( MWUN) on Wednesday pleaded with the Federal Government to resolve its problem with Intels Nig. Ltd., to save more workers from becoming unemployed.
The President of MWUN, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, made the appeal while speaking with maritime correspondents in Lagos on the lingering problem between Intels and government.
The government had on October 11, ordered the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to terminate its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement with Intels because Intels flouted an order on Treasury Single Account.
According to Adeyanju, the union as part of organised labour, is concerned over the job security and welfare of its members in Intels.
“Today, we are aware that Intels has over 5, 000 direct employees and over 6,000 indirect employees, which makes it up to 11,000 workers.
“Most of these employees are Nigerians with families and responsibilities. We are worried that if this issue is not resolved amicably, their jobs can be on the line,” he said.
Adeyanju said that socio-economic implication of most of the workers losing their jobs in a volatile area like Rivers would have a negative impact.
Shipping Position Daily however recalls that the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority ; Hadiza Bala Usman, on Monday assured that the termination of boats pilotage monitoring and supervision contract with Intels will not lead to loss of jobs.
The NPA Chief Executive watered down the anxiety that was earlier raised by Intels that terminating its contract would lead to loss of jobs. Its managing director; Bala Usman explained that will engage a new company to take over from Intels and the new company would have to engaged Nigerians, especially those who are already skilled in what they do.
She said, “how will the termination of the contract lead to job losses? Any company that takes over from INTELS will employ the workers to do the job”.
The NPA boss confirmed that the new contractors would take over the provision of the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision services that were being provided by Intels, adding that NPA management would proceed on a transitional arrangement to engage another firm.