Senior and junior workers at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have issued a stern warning to the Federal Government.
They demand a reversal of the presidential directive mandating a 50% automatic deduction from the authority’s internally generated revenue (IGR) within seven days. Failure to comply, they assert, will result in the shutdown of the nation’s ports.
This ultimatum was articulated in a joint letter signed by the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
The workers emphasise the critical need for an immediate policy reversal. They argue that the directive, if left unchanged, will inevitably trigger irreversible industrial action, culminating in the closure of port operations.
Quoting excerpts from their communication, the workers underscored the self-sustaining nature of the NPA, which operates without government budgetary allocations. They stress the necessity for the authority to retain a significant portion, if not all, of its generated funds to effectively execute vital tasks.
These tasks include port dredging, quay apron maintenance, facility upkeep, manpower development, and fulfilling corporate social responsibilities (CSR).
While acknowledging the government’s revenue-raising intentions, the workers condemn the imposition of extractive policies on self-sufficient, specialised entities like the NPA. They argue that such policies would inflict undue hardship and disrupt essential processes due to revenue shortfalls.
The looming prospect of industrial unrest underscores the urgency of swift government action to address the workers’ concerns. If left unresolved, the standoff could potentially paralyse port activities, with far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
