The Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have restated their commitment to continuous stakeholder’s engagement as an effective tool to maintain the peace which the nation’s maritime sector have enjoyed in recent years.

NIMASA Director General Dr Bashir Jamoh OFR, and the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju both made the assertion in Lagos at a ceremony by NIMASA to hand over vehicles to the Union as part of the Agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility. The vehicles are a 16-seater bus and one Hilux.

Dr. Bashir Jamoh applauded the union for adopting dialogue in ensuring and maintaining peace in the maritime sector, which he said has aided the peace and industrial harmony witnessed in the sector leading to the successes recorded.

In his words “In the past few years, the maritime industry has experienced relative peace and harmony, which has been made possible through the instrumentality of the leadership of MWUN. NIMASA is committed to ensuring the union is equipped with adequate facilities needed to perform their duties judiciously”.

He also charged the Union to continue to support the policies and instruments of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), towards ensuring a better welfare and decent work for the seafarers.

“We acknowledge that you have done so much in championing the cause for better wages for Dockworkers, Seafarers and other labour components in the maritime sector. We urge you to continue your stakeholders’ engagement in achieving implementation of international labour laws to achieve better welfare in consonance with international best practices for workers in the maritime sector”.

Furthermore, the DG assured that the Agency would complete the renovation of the headquarters of the Union in order to give them a befitting habitation.

On his part, the MWUN P-G, Comrade Adeyanju expressed the gratitude of the union to the Management of NIMASA, and assured that they will continue to work closely with the various stakeholders in the sector to ensure continuous progress. He also urged Terminal Operators, Government Agencies and other major maritime players to emulate NIMASA in the discharge of their CSR Projects.

The MWUN President General who is also the National Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress commended the leadership of NIMASA under Dr Jamoh urging the Federal Government to consider a second tenure based on performance.

“We will continue to play the role of stabilizing the sector. The era of confrontation in the maritime sector is gone, as we have embraced dialogue, which has ensured sustained peace and harmony. The leadership of NIMASA under Bashir Jamoh has excelled in staff welfare, regular staff promotion, and attending to the needs of stakeholders. Based on performance, Jamoh deserves a second term in office; his achievements speak volume. You made dialogue a way of life here at NIMASA and resolving labour related issues have been seamless under your leadership. We have had good DG’s in the past, but Jamoh is exceptional. We have been watching you and we know you have the track record of fulfilling your promises; we charge you to continue as the union will continue to support the humanitarian policies of your Management”, Adeyanju said.

•PHOTO: R-L: NIMASA DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR; Head, Financial Services of NIMASA, Mr. Abdullahi Mustapha; Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Engr. Victor Ochei; Head, Maritime Labour Dept. Mr. Aliyu Lawan; and President General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju. During the presentation of keys to a 16 Seater Bus and Hilux vehicle at the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos.

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