The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has called for the support of stevedoring companies in protecting the welfare and right of dockworkers at the port terminals.
Bashir Jamoh, director-deneral of NIMASA, who disclosed this in Lagos during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), pledged to work more closely with the association to improve the working conditions of dockworkers.
He sought closer partnership between the Agency and the association, as well as greater involvement of the stevedoring companies in the ongoing effort to amend the NIMASA Act.
“We understand our responsibility towards the dockworkers and we are committed to ensuring that their rights and welfare are safeguarded at all times. Our recent directive to registered stevedoring companies, via a marine notice, to mobilise to their work locations and commence operation is in line with that commitment,” he said.
According to him, NIMASA is, as always, willing and available to assist dockworkers and has remained committed to facilitating an enabling environment for stevedores to operate, and thrive.
He called on association to be more proactive in communicating their challenges in order to facilitate timely interventions by the Agency.
Bolaji Sunmola, president of NASC, who led the visiting delegation, stated that since its inception, the association had provided a platform for discussion, formulation, and implementation of policies affecting maritime labour, with focus on cargo handling operations.
Sunmola added that assisting NIMASA in the administration of Maritime Labour, as specified in the relevant enabling Acts, remained a primary focus of the NASC.
He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of NIMASA to enforcing the new Stevedoring Regulations and reiterated the association’s readiness to work with the Agency to successfully implement the regulations aimed at improving revenue generation and sustaining capacity building within the maritime industry.
