MWUN Demands Bio Metric ID Cards For Dockworkers , Urges NPA,Police To Beef Up Security Against Cargo Pilfering

Worried about the alarming rates of cargo vandalization at the nation’s seaports, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called on the relevant authorities to issue new Bio metric Identity Card (BID) to differentiate between genuine dockworkers and miscreants in addressing theft and criminal related vices.

Recall that the union had made several attempts to engage the Nigerian Maritime Administration .d Safety Agency (NIMASA) to fast track the process on the issuance of bio metrics identity card for registered seafarers and dockworkers .

Following the lacklustre attitude of the Dakuku Peterside led NIMASA, has resolved to the current challenges faced by the terminal operators.

According to a statement made available to DAILYFOCUS NEWS ONLINE on Thursday, by the Union President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju ,frowned at reported cases of cargo vandalization at the ports.

Adeyanju who vehemently condemned the development in totality , urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) security personnel, terminal operators Security Units and the Maritime Police Command to synergize in tackling the rising cases of cargo pilfering , theft and broaching at the seaports.

The statement said:”Recently, the social media was awash with reports of stealing and broaching of cargoes in our Sea Ports by some miscreants.

“The National Secretariat of our Union is now being inundated with the same report of alleged pilfering, stealing and broaching of cargoes in our Sea Ports by some scoundrels erroneously believed to be Dockworkers.

“This erroneous mis-conception stemmed from the fact that Bio-metric Identity card (BID) which should have differentiated and distinguished the core Dockworkers from the miscreants that daily troop into the Ports have not been issued in spite of repeated demands by our Union.

“Pilfering, stealing and broaching of cargoes are criminal acts which no disciplined and responsible organisation should condole.

“Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, being a disciplined and responsible Union has zero tolerance for any form of criminality as its Constitution loathes same.

“The Dockworkers of today are a refined individuals who would not risk their robust terminal benefits by engaging in broaching of cargoes. They know the sanctions that await any authentic Dockworker caught in any criminal act.

” We (the Union) in all ramification are against this evil act and as such call on the Security Agencies operating in the Ports especially the Nigerian Ports Police as well as the Terminal Operators security Personnel to put in place tight Security measures to tackle this menace which is capable of damaging the image of Nigeria in the comity of Nations.

“We also advice that whoever is caught in this criminal act should not be spared but be visited with the full weight of the law no matter how highly placed.