……Flags- off Issuance Of Dockworkers Biometric Identity Card
The director general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Temisan Omatseye has directed that all employers of dockworkers should ensure that such workers are registered with the agency.
The NIMASA boss gave his directive last week while flagging-off the issuance of Biometric Identity Cards with security features to dockworkers registered by the agency. This exercise is to ensure that only authorized dockworkers gain access to the nation’s seaports, terminal and private Jetties.
The director general who handed out the first set of ID cards to the dockworkers equally urged terminal and jetty operators to register dockworkers on their payroll with the agency, saying that “all terminal and private jetty operators who are yet to comply with the registration of Dockworkers engaged by them are hereby requested to register such dockworkers with NIMASA in order to forestall work stoppage at their terminals and jetties”.
Assuring that NIMASA is committed to providing accurate data for the purpose of putting in place a pension scheme for dockworkers in Nigeria he added that the agency “is committed to improving the wellbeing of dockworkers in Nigeria”.
Mr Omatseye also noted that the ID Card Scheme will determine the total number of dockworkers who are engaged at the nation’s seaports, their employers and location which is in-line with internationally acceptable standards as contained in the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
“The ports/terminals are key to the nation’s economy as most exports and imports to and from Nigeria are carried out in these Ports. Therefore the maintenance of peace and security in all Nigerian Sea Ports and Terminals cannot be over emphasized”.
The exercise is expected to be continuous and to cover all ports, terminals and private jetties in Nigeria. At the conclusion of the exercise, any dockworker who is not registered and issued an Identity Card by the NIMASA will be denied access to any work area within the nation’s at the ports, terminals and private jetties.
Speaking at the occasion, the president of the Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) Comrade Adeyanju Adewale commended NIMASA for turning the fortunes of Dockworkers around for the better.
“Since this management came, things have been getting better for us. You started with training of dockworkers which has been going on smoothly, now its proper identification of our members. All these efforts of NIMASA will go a long way in ensuring harmonious work environment in the nation’s ports, jetties and terminals”, he stated.
In a goodwill message on behalf of the Association of Terminal and Jetties Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ojo Ikokide of Apapa Bulk Terminal also commended the management of NIMASA for putting in place the Identification Card scheme for dock workers, noting that proper identification for dockworkers was essential for effective security at the terminals and jetties.
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