Headlines

Despite jumbo remittances, maritime union accuses NPA of workers’ enslavement

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju

—- poised for war over 18 years of lack of salary review

The eyewitness reporter

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria ( MWUN) is on a war path with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over what it described as unfair labour practices which, according to the leadership of the union, have enslaved the NPA workers.

The President General of the MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, while speaking with the leadership of the union at the Union’s secretariat in Lagos Tuesday, accused NPA workers of flagrant abuse of labour laws, adding the agency has held its workers captive by failing to review their salaries for the past 18 years.

This violation of labour laws was despite the jumbo earnings of the NPA whose remittances into the federation account have been on a geometric rise over the years.

However, Comrade Adeyanju, who was enraged by what he called the insensitivity of the NPA to the welfare of workers, vowed to mobilise the workers to force the hand of the NPA management to review the staff salaries as well as payment of their arrears.

He threatened that the workers will resort to shutting down the ports, if need be, in their quest to get the NPA to do the needful.

Adeyanju disclosed that the last time the NPA reviewed the salary of its staff was in 2004 which he said was unacceptable.

Adeyanju further disclosed that it was unacceptable that NPA as the landlord of the ports has not reviewed workers’ salaries for the past 18 years when other agencies including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are enjoying steady promotions and salary increases.

Adeyanju however blamed the NPA Branch President, Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli for the sloppy manner he handled the matter, accusing him of keeping silent on the case.

He said the failure of the NPA to review workers’ salaries for over 18 years is a clear violation of labour practices just as he vowed that NPA would be made to pay the arrears on the salary delay.

The MWUN boss explained that the demand for an upward review of workers’ salaries is a right that must not be mortgaged by a few individuals.

“From 2004 till date, there has been no salary increase and that is not acceptable.

“I never knew about this anomaly because your branch president was keeping this silent from me.

“This matter came to my notice on October 1st when some senior members of NPA came to my house to inform me.

“The truth is that all is not well in the NPA, the workers are not being treated well, their salaries are poor, there is stagnation in workers’ promotion, and we are ready to go all the way with NPA management.

“We have supported this management enough, it is now time for them to reward us back by paying our members properly.

“Enough is enough. We can’t close our eyes and allow somebody to put a stick in our eyes. We would even shut the ports if the management refuse to act,” he warned.

Comrade Adeyanju, who lauded recent steps taken by NPA management on harmonisation of salaries, as well as plans to approve housing grants to workers, however, noted that workers must not be denied their rights.

Also speaking, Deputy President General of MWUN, Comrade Harry Tonye lamented that workers in NPA have remained stagnated for years as they are not only being denied their right wages but promotions when due.

He also lamented the shortage of junior staff in NPA.

He said, “For over 16 years those of us in level 7 have remained in level 7. They said some of us have jammed bar, and there is no promotion and salary increment. There is also a shortage of junior staff and if NPA did not employ junior staff between now and February there will be no junior staff anymore in NPA.”

Earlier, President NPA Branch, MWUN, Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli highlighted the numerous challenges facing the workers in NPA.

Related Topics:featured MWUN tackles NPA

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Customs

Customs threatens to arrest, prosecute air travellers carrying currency above $10,000 threshold without declaration.

-as Nigeria tightens its anti- money laundering laws

Gloria Odion

The Nigeria customs service, in collaboration with other sister agencies, had engaged international airline operators in a sensitization exercise over the need to strengthen Nigeria’s anti- money laundering laws.

The sensitization programme, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was meant to raise awareness on the importance of enforcing Nigeria’s currency declaration laws among inbound and outbound travellers.

The engemement addressed the role of airline personnel in ensuring compliance, especially in reminding passengers about declaration requirements through in-flight announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs checks.

Officials emphasised that any passenger carrying over the regulatory threshold, currently $10,000 or its equivalent, is required to make a declaration to the authorities.

Failure to comply, they warned, could result in seizure, investigation, and prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.

Additional requirements discussed included the mandatory submission of electronic manifests (e-Manifests) before aircraft arrival, as well as complete passenger details such as names, countries of origin and destination, and flight numbers, stating that these records allow customs and security officers to conduct targeted risk assessments and enhance border surveillance operations.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, Salihu Mas’ud, led the engagement and expressed confidence in the outcomes.

According to him, the Service has already implemented several operational tools to support effective enforcement.

“What we have achieved so far is to be able to sensitise them. We’ve gone round to check all the points.

” We have dedicated search rooms for secondary searches. There are dedicated posts for currency declarations, and they are in place.

” Announcements are also being made on the Public Address System. We have also gotten the commitment of the airline operators to ensure that these announcements are also being made on board their flights,” he said.

He added, “We expect higher compliance, and it will strengthen our enforcement mechanism.

” It also ensures that defaulters and violators of currency declarations are detected promptly and forwarded for necessary investigation and prosecution.”

The sensitisation session highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing illicit financial flows.

With growing concerns over terrorism financing and smuggling of undeclared funds, the NCS said sustained partnerships with airline operators, airport authorities, and intelligence agencies will remain key to its success.

Headlines

Opeifa reaffirms commitment to infrastructural upgrade, staff welfare at Northern District headquarters of NRC in Zaria

Funso OLOJO

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the management of Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) to the upgrade of railway infrastructure and staff welfare at the Northern district headquarters of the corporation in Zaria.

Opeifa made the pledge while touring critical assets and infrastructure at the corporation’s district headquarters, Zaria in Kaduna state.

The visit was part of the Managing Director’s ongoing nationwide assessment tour of operational facilities and infrastructure under the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

During his time in Zaria, Dr. Opeifa met with district management and staff, inspected key installations, and reviewed ongoing and upcoming projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

As part of his engagement, Dr. Opeifa met with the Staff,Nigerian Union of Railwaymen (NUR), the Senior Staff Association (SSA), Pilot Drivers on training and the Pensioners.

He reassured railway pensioners that issues concerning outstanding pensions are already being addressed, and urged them to remain calm, adding that concrete steps are being taken to resolve all concerns.

“We understand the importance of pension to our retired personnel, and I want to assure you that everything necessary is being done,” Dr. Opeifa stated.

“I will do all within my power to ensure that you receive what is rightfully yours.”

During the visit, Dr. Opeifa also toured key support facilities including the NRC Training School, the District Clinic, the Central Workshop, and the Permanent Ways Hotel.

He commended the efforts of the staff managing these facilities but emphasized the urgent need for upgrades and modernization to improve service delivery, staff welfare, and capacity building.

“To truly transform the Nigerian Railway system, we must also invest in our people, their health, their training, and the infrastructure that supports them,” he remarked.

In a show of gratitude and support, the Railway District Manager (RDM) of the Northern District Zaria , Engr. Adedeji Adewala Rasheed, thanked the Managing Director for the visit and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to the national vision.

“We are honoured by your presence, sir, and I assure you that the Northern District will always be ready to receive you at any time,” Engr. Rasheed stated.

“The Iron Men of this district stand firmly behind you and will give you their full support to ensure that your objectives in transforming the railway system are fully achieved.”

Dr. Opeifa emphasized the importance of the Northern District to the national railway network, particularly in enhancing connectivity between key cities, boosting trade and agricultural logistics, and supporting economic development across the northern region.

“We are committed to revitalizing the railway system across the country, and Zaria remains a critical hub in this transformation,” he added.

“Our focus is on efficiency, safety, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that the NRC meets the demands of a modern transport system.”

The Managing Director was warmly received by other senior officials, who briefed him on current operations, challenges, and areas of opportunity.

Dr. Opeifa assured the team of continued support and strategic interventions aimed at improving service delivery and expanding rail infrastructure.

This visit underscores the NRC’s dedication to closer engagement with its regional offices and stakeholders, reaffirming its mission to deliver reliable and world-class rail transport services for Nigeria.

Headlines

NIMASA reaffirms confidence in indigenous technical ability in ship building and repairs

Funso OLOJO

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed confidence in the technological competence and abilities of indigenous engineers to carry out ship building and repairs locally.

Dr Mobereola made this assertion in Lagos during his visit to Nigerdock at Snake Island integrated Free Zone,where he had gone to inspect and assess the ongoing maintenance work on the DB Lagos, a special mission vessel used for maritime surveillance and national security operations.

The vessel plays a vital role in combating oil theft, smuggling, illegal immigration, and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s waters.

Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Mobereola expressed satisfaction with the progress made and described the project as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s capability to handle sophisticated ship repairs and construction.

“What I am seeing here today is a testimony to the fact that we have the ability not only to repair but also to build here in Nigeria,” he stated.

He further emphasized that the inspection aligns with the vision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who has prioritized the development of local capacity in shipbuilding and repairs.

“We at NIMASA are demonstrating our belief in this vision by maintaining our own vessels here,” Dr. Mobereola added.

The visit underscores NIMASA’s drive to promote indigenous maritime infrastructure, enhance national security, and advance sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector.