www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/3000-dock-workers-retrenched-20-shipping-companies-shut-operations/

LAGOS—MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria,
MWUN, yesterday, said no fewer than 20
shipping companies, had shut operations in
Nigeria due to unfavourable government’
policies, leading to the retrenchment of over
3000 workers in the last one year.
At a briefing, President-General of the
union, Mr. Anthony Emmanuel Nted, among
other things, lamented that the jobs of over
2000 workers were also on the line and called
on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene
to save the sector from imminent collapse.
Nted who declined to name the affected
shipping companies, said they were verifiable
in the ports, however warned that many more
shipping companies were on the verge of
folding up and were only doing skeletal
services at the moment.
Continuing, he said:” Today, we lament the
action of the management of Nigeria Ports
Authority, NPA, in also planning to sack a
section of the Dockworkers, especially the
Tally Clerks and Onboard Security men in spite
of their importance and relevance in the Port
operations, as it affects the reoccurring
scourge of tonnage under declaration and its
negative impact on the nation’s economy.
“The leakage of revenue through under
declaration of tonnage should be seriously
tackled. In this regard, we reiterate that Tally
Clerks and Onboard Security men should be
allowed to continue the critical job of
uncovering and discouraging under tonnage
which is often done with the unholy
collaboration of NPA, shipping companies,
agents and terminal operators. The Tally Clerks
and onboard security men are capable of
preventing these economic crimes as they were
doing through their independent and physical
tallying process. “Over 2000 workers(Tally
clerks and onboard security men) are involved.
Their reinstatement will go a long way in
reducing the number of unemployed Nigerians,
and also reducing the misery of their families.”
The union demanded among others that “All
access roads to the ports as a matter of
urgency, should be expanded and rehabilitated
to handle cargo traffic in the ports. The
traditional rail operations in our seaports
should be restored to reduce the pressure on
our highways and daily fatal accidents and
deaths from containers. Waterways should be
developed for delivery of laden containers and
heavy equipment through our coastal waters
into the hinterland. The tank-farms which
are now dangerously located close to the
ports, residential areas and along the
expressways and access roads close to the
ports should be relocated far away from the
seaports to stave-off the perennial gridlocks
on the roads.
“The volume of vehicles imported into Nigeria
through Nigerian ports has collapsed to an all-
time low, with consequent loss of thousands
of jobs in the maritime sector. The new duty
regime for vehicles introduced since 2004 and
application of the new rate of exchange rate
for duty calculations have made the
importation of cars and trucks into Nigeria far
too expensive. In the last two years, the
number of vehicles arriving Nigeria has shrunk
by almost two thirds, while the volume of cars
smuggled through the Cotonou Border has
continued to rise unabated. It is therefore
necessary that the Federal Government
reviews its stance on the Automative policy so
as not to inflict any more suffering on the
workers who are already having a hard time
with price increases every day.
“The Federal Government should look at
making the importation of cars and trucks
more competitive to enable the economy to
grow. A significant reduction in the duties
applicable on cars and trucks will go a long
way in alleviating the challenges of our people
and spur economic activities. “Government
should as a matter of urgency adopt policies
towards resuscitating the export of
agricultural produces and mineral resources
that were hitherto the main stay of the
Nigerian economy before the discovery of oil.
This will no doubt create jobs in our seaports
and increase revenue for the government.”

God help us. The nation is really confused and the biggest problem now is no one cares about the mass.
The issue is now like the government saying let them drink water they can't die . As far they are alive there's nothing to worry about.

As for the number of cars that reduced. Innoson should kindly bring out new cars with classic designs . Her designs should be able to compete with international brand. Nigerians are conscious when it comes to classic things.

Anyway to all entrepreneurs out there, this is your time to be successful. Take advantage of the ecconomy issue.

The companies are feeling the Buhari era of "Changi

Ok, bad economy Don reach their side

This is serious... God please come to our rescue...

May God help them

Dis country sef

Infact, there's fire on the mountain...

Haa! 3000?

And i still remember vividly how many Nigerians were chanting "Sai Baba" sometimes last year while calling one other guy from the south south "Clueless Jona-daft"... Just look around we country now,, wetin deh happen?

APC = Change!
PDP = Change de Change!

And all this happens only in Africa's most populous nation. Why?

Buari is an agent of destruction

Nigeria is in a speed lane of retrogression, they sold progressive to us but on unveiling, we are seing regression of a decade progress.
The unfortunate aspect is that those who sold this dummy to us have gone mute knowing their culpability, a repeat of 1984 scenario as we hope for another IBB to bailout the situation.

The attention of the person they are calling unfortunately hasn't healed from the ear infection..... it is well with NIGERIA

To be expected. When the cost of forex is high imports will suffer. PMB's headache

Do you mean 3000 dock rats? They are ghost workers. Buhari did not cause the problem we are in....this is due to PDP's mess. APC will improve the economy and provides jobs in the millions....after an initial period of hardship. - Zombies

Buhari is transforming the economy - Afonja

We desperately need restructuring - IPOD

We hope to improve our maritime sector by blocking leakages - Lie Mohammed

CHANGE has reached the Maritime sector. Unstable companies are leaving the sector leaving room for more viable companies to come in - Minister Ameachi.

Thank God I didn't vote this dullard in. Every news in the last one year has been negative. I just give up.

Week after week unfolds bad and gloomy news for the country. This change thing is becoming serious

Seriously, nigeria is going backward.

Blame this on buhari

This is getting more worrisome

Only what they know how to do is to blame GEJ and this is the result of blaming GEJ.

Hailing Hailers will avoid this thread.

To imagine that some of those 3,000 jobless fellows was among those chanting sai baba early 2015.

God will help us.

Is this the CHANGE promised by APC?

Bad news everyday!.....what kinda change is this?

right now a dog is more.important than the economy


sao buhari

We cried, we pleaded, we warned, but the masses insisted they want change in place of transformation- now they have it!

This buhari government gidigan.abeg who witnessed Buhari government here when he ruled as a military man? Na like this life be then? This change has turned to chain.

Employ 5 and retrench 5000 is the new development in this country. may God intervene in the affairs of this country

Anything that will reduce our dependence on importation.
Hope they 'll find a job in manufacturing sector

How many Shipping companies in Nigeria has over 100 personnel in its payroll?
We should be more accurate with our statistics
God bless Nigeria

Too much retrenchment during this regime.

Buhari o, I still dey surprise how some old people take vote this idiot into power. Which way Nigeria.

SamuelAnyawu:
How many Shipping companies in Nigeria has over 100 personnel in its payroll?

We should be more accurate with our statistics

God bless Nigeria

And you do not consider other ancidiary coys linked up to them.