Labour, operators raise alarm over security gaps in nation’s ports

…Demand urgent return of tally clerks, on-board security men

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Organised labour and maritime operators have sounded the alarm over growing security and revenue-leakage risks at the nation’s seaports.

They say the absence of registered tally clerks and on-board ship gangway security men has left vital port operations exposed to fraud and illicit activity.

The stakeholders therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately reinstate these groups of workers.

Sounding the alarm during the Dockworkers’ Day celebration in Lagos, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, President-General Francis Bunu led the demand for the return of tally clerks and on-board gangway security men.

He emphasised that their removal has created a “serious security gap” in the maritime industry, especially given the rising insecurity in the country.

Tally clerks are responsible for physically counting, verifying and documenting cargoes being discharged from and loaded onto ships, trucks or containers.

They also reconcile actual cargo movements against ship manifests and way-bills to ensure correct tonnage declaration and prevent revenue loss or smuggling.

In Nigerian ports context they have been described as “the eyes of government at the ports,” helping detect under-declared tonnage and other abuses.

On-board gangway security men provide security on vessel gangways to prevent unauthorised boarding, stowaways, theft of cargo, and ensure compliance with port-security regulations.

Without these functions being fulfilled, the stakeholders argue that illicit cargoes, under-declaration of tonnage and revenue leakages become more likely.

According to reports, approximately 3,700 tally clerks and on-board gangway security men were disengaged from the ports in 2015 under a reform exercise by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.

Various sources confirm that the contract of the stevedoring companies that employed them was not renewed when it expired in December 2015.

The disengagement triggered concerns over welfare, unpaid benefits and the loss of institutional oversight within the port system.

Beyond the return of tally clerks and security men, the President-General of MWUN also demanded for “the immediate improvement of dockworkers’ welfare, including enhanced remuneration, allowances, uniform conditions of service and standard employment practices. A national task-force to enforce safety and operational regulations across all port formations, terminals and oil-platform operations.

“Capacity-building and training of dockworkers in line with modern technological and digitised environments, plus strict enforcement of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage.”Representing the National Association of Stevedoring Operators, NASO, its President, Bolaji Sunmola lamented that the industry is “bleeding” without these key personnel.

He aligned with the position of Organised Labour on the return of Tally Clerks and gangway security men.

He lamented that the maritime industry has been severely affected by their absence.

“The issue of Tally Clerks is a very serious matter. The industry is bleeding without them. The ports urgently need the services of Tally Clerks and on-board gangway security men. The government should do all that is possible to ensure their prompt return to the industry,” Sunmola stated.

In the speeches at the event, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi (represented by Director Emmanuel Ibinusun), acknowledged the contributions of dockworkers and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the Decent Work Agenda in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

Also speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (represented by the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola) stressed safety as non-negotiable and called for collaboration between operators and organised labour to guarantee a secure maritime environment.

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