April 16, (THEWILL) – Key players in the nation’s maritime industry are pushing for an increment in the vehicle/car tariffs, which according to them, have not been reviewed for over a decade.
In an official statement issued at the weekend, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) made its position known, stating that there is a need for a review of the tariffs.
Noting that such review was long overdue, the union stated: “Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) wish to inform the general public and other relevant agencies, particularly the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, of the recent call/proposal made by Port Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) and other terminals to the management of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to wit: request for an increment in the vehicle/car tariffs, which according to them, has not been reviewed for over a decade.
According to MWUN, PTML and other terminal operators under the umbrella of the Seaports Terminals Operators (STOAN) have, over the years, “borne the burden of wages, salaries, and allowances; with management of Dockworkers as in saner economic climes”.
They emphasized that, unfortunately, PTML cannot further shoulder these obligations, due to the general inflation rate, deteriorating economic condition, increasing operational/administrative costs, high rate of exchange value and other such economic factors.
“Consequent to the above, PTML and other terminals operators have indicated their inability to meet with the provisions of the minimum standard of Dock labour, which they recently negotiated and signed for implementation as was supervised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and NIMASA; unfortunately, the prevailing situation in the nation’s economy had directly hampered their capacity to implement the subsisting NJIC agreement.
“As a result of the above and the inability of management to meet its obligations, and Dockworkers’ expectations, there’s now rising tension amongst the rank and file of our Dockworkers members in all the terminals, ports, jetties, and all oil and gas platforms,” MWUN stated.
The workers union, therefore, called on the management of NSC to give kind consideration to the proposal of PTML and other terminals operators for a review of the vehicle/car tariffs and other freight charges as obtained in ENL, Josep dam, Port and Cargo, and other terminals alike to enable them meet their obligations to their members
They explained further that when things are in the right positions, it will help “dockworkers to forestall an imminent breakdown of industrial peace in our nation’s seaports as they are the economic regulators in this sector.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
