LOCAL CONTENT: MWUN Makes Case For Indigenous Terminal Operators

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) , has called on the federal government to encourage and support indigenous terminal operators in line with promoting  local content of the nation’s seaport operations.

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President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in a chat with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday, advocated for more indigenization of port concession agreement, saying that the future of maritime activities despite on local content development.

Adeyanju who was responding to the recent threat by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to revoke licenses  of erring concessionaires , noted that despite the hardship in the country and  high rates of foreign exchange against the Naira , terminal operators  ensure that workers are paid irrespective of their nationality.

The President General pointed out that some foreign concessionaires in the nation’s seaports invest in the country but their interest is centred on the benefits back home

He called on government to support local terminal operators saying this would further complement future gains to boost maritime businesses.

He affirmed that the Union will continue to pray for all the concessionaires noting that local content like the cabotage act plays a significant role to capacity building of Nigerians.

Adeyanju reiterated that revoking of licenses from   some of the terminal operators should not be in the fore at a time when the country is faced with insecurity and unfavourable balance of trade but urged the government to explore avenues to boost exportation of non oil products oversea.

While appealing to the concessionaires to up their ante in port efficiency and effectiveness, he stated that ”This is not the right time to start talking about revoking of licenses of unperformed concessionaires but how to boost export.

“‘The terminal operators have their respective shortcomings but we should encourage them, mostly the indigenous operators because they are Nigerians and their interest is this country unlike the foreigners who treat some of the workers like slaves in this country.”

The indigenous terminal operators in the Lagos ports are Ports and Cargo Handling Services owned by Sifax Group at Tin Can Island Port and ENL Consortium Limited at Lagos Ports Complex (LPC)