Jamoh Canvasses Contributory Pension For Dockworkers As NIMASA Hosts Dockworkers Day Event

By Sylvanus OBASI, Lagos.

It was a milestone event for the local maritime industry as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) hosted the maiden edition of the ‘Day of the Dockworker’ in Lagos recently. 

With the theme of the event being “Healthy Dockworker, Better Productivity”, it was an opportunity for stakeholders gathered to not just appreciate the efforts of Nigerian dockworkers at the center of the nation’s import-dependent economy, but also to focus on ways of improving their health and general well – being. 

Delivering his welcome address at the event, the NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, charged employers of labor to ensure all dockworkers are enrolled on contributory pension schemes, while also emphasizing the need for operators of Oil and Gas Terminals to allow only approved stevedores aboard their installations, to ensure compliance with relevant international guidelines and conventions. 

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA,  Dr Bashir Jamoh OFR presenting a souvenir to Former Board Chairman, NIMASA, Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan  during the 2023 Day of the Dockworker Celebration in Lagos.

According to Dr. Jamoh, “As we celebrate today, it is important to put in perspective the plight of dockworkers who spend the greater part of their working life at the ports, with little or nothing to show for it. As employers of labour, you must endeavour to put in place a Contributory Pension Scheme for dockworkers and ensure prompt remittances of both Employers and Employees contributions at the end of each month”. 

Speaking on compliance with stevedore inspections, he stated, “This occasion presents me with an opportunity to express the need for operators in the private jetties and Oil & Gas Terminals to grant operational access to the Stevedoring Contractors appointed by the Honorable Minister of Transport, to carry out stevedoring activities in assigned operational areas”. 

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, OFR addressing dockworkers at the occasion.

On his part, the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, in his address, he thanked the NIMASA Management for organizing the event to celebrate Nigerian dockworkers in recognition of the important role played by them. 

In attendance at the event were representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity; Nigerian Ports Authority; Seaport Terminal Operators Association and the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASA). 

R-L: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh OFR; Port Manager, Apapa Port, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Charles Okaga;  President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju; and Executive Director, Maritime Labour and CabotageSe rvices NIMASA, Engr. Victor Ochei during the 2023 Day of the Dockworker Celebration in Lagos.

Internationally, July 7th is marked as ‘The Global Day of Action’ and is organized by the International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC) and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). It aims to raise awareness of port working conditions and emphasize the importance of collective bargaining rights. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *