National Assembly complex
Organised labour in the maritime sector of the nation’s economy has berated the Senate over alleged moves to give legal backing to the establishment of another agency in the maritime industry through the Maritime Security (Establishment) Bill 2009, despite the rejection by stakeholders in the sector. It argued that the establishment of another maritime agency would duplicate the job of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Anthony Nted, alleged that the bill, sponsored by some highly-placed individuals in the Presidency through the Presidential Committee on Maritime Safety and Safety (PICOMSS), was earlier rejected by stakeholders in the sector at a public hearing on January 13, 2010. Nted wondered how the bill, which was earlier rejected by stakeholders, could pass through a second reading by the lawmakers on December 7.
The maritime union president recalled all the petitions against the bill and how President Goodluck Jonathan highlighted the dangers such duplication would cause for the economy and maritime operations in the country, warning that should the Senate go ahead and legalise the bill, the nation should prepare for the consequences.
The statement advised the members of the Senate not to allow themselves be used by some unscrupulous and self-seeking individuals to create more problems in the sector, with the obvious negative repercussions on the economy. He called on President Jonathan to speedily intervene and halt such move in the interest of the nation’s economy.
“We have said it repeatedly and wish to once again state that we cannot afford to watch passively while money meant for development is diverted to the duplication of an existing agency. It is on the basis of this that we call on Mr. President to halt this move.
“We wish to state that NIMASA since inception has been able to restore sanity in the Maritime sector in conjunction with Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and therefore deserved to be encouraged.
“We wish to state that NIMASA since inception has been able to restore sanity in the Maritime sector in conjunction with Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and therefore deserved to be encouraged.
“Considering the importance of Maritime Security in international trade, we strongly advise that rather than engage in duplication of government agencies as portended by the draft bill, the present section/department of NIMASA engaged in security/safety services should be strengthened and professionalised through appropriate manning for greater efficiency and performance.
“The Armed forces are organised along the key modes of transportation in Nigeria in such a professional way that the Nigerian Air Force is in charge of the airspace, the Nigerian Army takes care of the land territory while the Nigerian Navy keeps surveillance on our territorial waters.
“The Armed forces are organised along the key modes of transportation in Nigeria in such a professional way that the Nigerian Air Force is in charge of the airspace, the Nigerian Army takes care of the land territory while the Nigerian Navy keeps surveillance on our territorial waters.
“It is noteworthy that NIMASA has been effectively collaborating with the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police in this regard. Consequently, we recommend that NIMASA be strengthened to carry out its statutory functions unhindered.
“We once again fervently call on Mr. President to halt this bill. If however the bill is passed in defiance of its total rejection by stakeholders, we shall be compelled to shut down our seaports nationwide in protest over the imposition”, Nted said.
“We once again fervently call on Mr. President to halt this bill. If however the bill is passed in defiance of its total rejection by stakeholders, we shall be compelled to shut down our seaports nationwide in protest over the imposition”, Nted said.
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