WHARF RATS: Maritime Workers Union Tasks NIMASA on Dockworkers Biometric Identification
President General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu (left) and the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has charged the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to implement biometric identification and registration of all dockworkers and seafarers at the ports, so as to eliminate pilfering of cargoes at port terminals.
DAILY TREND reports that pilfering and theft of imported cargoes at ports is an illegal act commonly perpetuated by unregistered workers commonly known as Wharf rats.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi during a courtesy visit to the NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola on Thursday, stressed the need for biometric identification cards for the Dockworkers and Seafararers branches of the Union in order to separate the wheat from the shafts of workers parading the port.
According to a press statement issued by the union on Friday, “Comrade Bunu said the biometric registration and identitification of all individuals Union bonafide members employed by various employers of labour in the Maritime industry will definitely separate the legitimately employed Dockworkers and Seafararers from the illegal ones parading themselves and functioning as Dockworkers and Seafararers simultaneously as members of the Union, which does not portray MWUN in any good light.
“Comrade Bunu explained to the DG of NIMASA the importance of the biometric identification cards for the two branches of the Union, saying that for proper documentation of the Union’s registered Dockworkers and Seafararers working in the seaports should be identified from the quacks as this measure will guarantee the ports some sort of safety, theft and pilfering of goods and consignments of owners, exporters and importers, which be an impedement to a good business ports environment”
Bunu also promised Dr. Dayo Mobereola of NIMASA of the Union’s usual maximum support and cooperation, citing the longtime collaboration between the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and MWUN on the need to build a Seafararers Recreation Center in Apapa.
According to him, “Sailors need quality life on land for recreation, which is an integral part of life. It will not only serve the Union members but as well the general public who may choose the center, which of course would generate economic dividend for the Union”
Dr. Mobereola in his response assured the PG of the Union of NIMASA’s commitment towards the project which was struck with his predecessor; and promised that his administration will ensure that its quota to the laudable project will be honored as agreed on paper.
He thanked the Union for the purposeful visit while, congratulating Comrade Bunu for his landslide election victory; and hoped to continue to witness a flourishing synergy between both significant bodies in the Maritime sector of Nigeria.
