The United Bank of Africa (UBA) has frozen the account of a Trade Union Congress affiliate union; the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Shipping Position Daily has confirmed.
The bank’s action was in compliance with government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), which requires that accounts of all government’s ministries, departments and agencies must be domiciled in the apex bank.
The United Bank of Africa (UBA) has frozen the account of a Trade Union Congress affiliate union; the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Shipping Position Daily has confirmed.
The bank’s action was in compliance with government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), which requires that accounts of all government’s ministries, departments and agencies must be domiciled in the apex bank.
The bank, in a mail sent to the union and dated October 29th October 2015 ,informed the seafarers’ union that its deposits have been moved to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a result of the implementation of the TSA, a development the merchant navy union described as a mark of incompetence, irresponsible and illegal on the part of the bank.
The bank also directed the union to make their objections known to the CBN as well as Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for reversal, after much negotiations and agitation from executive of the union.
But responding to the mail sent by the bank, the Secretary General of union, Comrade Julius Efokpor made available to Shipping Position Daily, yesterday, the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Staff Senior Association said it is not a government agency, hence cannot be affected by the TSA policy.
He condemned the CBN’s ‘’mode of operation for failing to consult the union before embarking on the transfer to CBN."
Responding to the bank’s letter, Eforkpor wrote : "Our attention has been drawn to your last letter unilaterally transferring our funds to the CBN and advising us to make our presentation to CBN and Accountant General of the Federation for refund "
"It has become obvious that your bank is only into the business of recovering funds from clients and not protecting of such funds"
"This act is grossly irresponsible, it is negligence, show of shame, unprofessional and an unethical standard by your bank, by not consulting us the rightful owners of the account having been in business with your bank for more than two decades".
Eforkpo threatened that should the bank fail to reopen the union’s account, the union will consider all options opened to it.
"With reference to the above message of 27th October 2015,we wish to state as follow: that the Nigeria Merchant Navy officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association is the union in charge with the responsibility of catering for welfare of officers onboard vessels ashore"
"For the purpose of clarity, please be informed that this association has nothing to do with the Nigerian Navy and it’s not a federal government agency".
The scribe of the union said that the seafarers’ outfit is not owned by the government; therefore it should be separated from the federal government account.
According to him, the union’s account cannot be transferred to CBN, saying that such transfer is illegal, which he said was done in error and should reversed.
He reiterated that staff and other stakeholders to whom transactions were made are eagerly expecting payment, adding that it may lead to embarrassment.
Speaking further the scribe added that the bank has appealed to them to exercise some level of patience until November, even as he added that the union will swing into action, if the account is not opened today.
He noted that the monies in the account runs into millions of Naira and there lots of commitments to be attended to.
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