NPA Workers Demand Increase in Salary, Says Last Increment Carried Out 17-Years Ago

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) employees have called on the management of the authority to increase their salaries which has been stagnated for the past 17-years.

The workers under the aegis of NPA Branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) raised the appeal in Lagos on Monday at the Quadrennial Branch Delegate Conference of the union.

President of the branch, Comrade Ifeanyin Mazeli who sounded the appeal, also lamented that the numerical strength of the NPA junior workers is dwindling, this according to him is due to promotions, retirements and deaths. He said the structure of NPA at this time is “top-heavy” as there are more of senior management workers than junior workers.

Comrade Mazeli was re-elected at yesterday’s Delegate Conference for a second term of four years in office, unopposed.

He urged the NPA management under the Acting Managing Director, Muhammed Bello Koko to embark on recruitment of more junior workers.

“We wish to suggest that management should kindly look into the possibility of increasing the salaries of workers of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as last increment was done in 2004”

“The numerical strength of our members are dwindling every day. This is as a result of promotions, retirements and death which is a natural phenomenon. We wish to take this opportunity‘ to once again appeal to our management to employ more JUNIOR WORKERS to boost the Workforce.

“As a matter of fact, there are hundreds of private jetties operating in the country and yet the presence of the Nigerian Ports Authority are not there. There is need to reverse the trend for obvious reasons”

Comrade Mazeli cautioned NPA workers to always display the right attitude towards their job, saying that “We all know the situation of our nation today in terms of unemployment market. Therefore of us who are lucky to have employment must take our job seriously by resuming at official resumption hours”

“This would aid in achieving higher productivity index and by so doing, drive towards achieving NPA Vision and Mission ”

Speaking on the state of the Nigerian Eastern ports, he called on relevant government agencies to direct Shippers and shipping companies to take their cargo to the Eastern ports which he said would help facilitate trade and boost the economy of the country.

“Also given the fact that Onitsha is the commercial hub in the South Eastern Nigeria, it makes it imperative for the development of Onitsha seaport to boost economic activities and create employment for Nigerians” he said

Mazeli also urged management of the NPA to reduce harbour dues payable at the eastern seaports, as part of measures to stimulate greater patronage by shippers.

On retirees’ gratuity, he commended the NPA management under Hadiza Bala-Usman, saying that the scheme has been raised from 180% to 280% percent.

Primarily on the collaboration with the senior staff NPA union, Comrade Mazeli noted that ” Prior to this administration, our two in-house union’s were engaging management separately. But this administration has adopted a collaborative approach in interfacing with management.

“I wish to report that this approach has brought much dividends to the workers of NPA amongst which are dissolving the contentious/aged long stagnation issues, harmonisation of salary structure etc”.

Giving account on the industrial peace and harmony in the maritime sector, he maintained that the last four years under his watch witnessed tremendous working relationship with management , thus seeking management collaboration at all levels to ensure peaceful coexistence that will culminate into achieving the ultimate vision and mission of NPA and its numerous subsidiaries.