December 10, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government, on Friday, said all dockworkers sacked due to port concession in 2006, have been fully paid.
Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, made the clarification at the 34th Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Anniversary and Awards, which was held on Friday, in Lagos.
He said the only set of people that were not paid then were those working for the private sector but were given severance packages.
Sambo also emphasised the Federal Government would remain committed to policies that would boost the growth and development of the Port Community System.
“Government is embarking on many projects to help the maritime industry, the Deep Blue Project, which will ensure the cost of importing cargo into the country is reduced.
“For the Lekki Deep Port, there is no reason why we should have a replica of Apapa port there and so I have instructed the Nigerian Ports Authority to ensure no movement of cargo by road”, he said.
In his paper presentation, former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, stressed the need for constant review and re-alignment of port concession agreements.
“The challenges are vast and varied but the prospects are enticing. The maritime industry must be comprehensively executed and strategically run as a fundamental economic factor with the target of contributing massively to the economic growth of the country.
“The reform is critical, but not comprehensive and stands the risk of being derailed, curtailed, distorted or even reversed. This is because the legal framework is not dynamic and wholesome.
“Government must build and enhance critical infrastructure in which the port reform is anchored.
“Those critical infrastructures must be deliberately sited to make for coordination and linkages, especially inland connectivity. Transport infrastructure cannot be located haphazardly or anyhow.
“Federal Government must provide conducive operating procedures, ease the cost of doing business and fight corruption that threatens to put a brake on reforms.
“The regulatory institutions must be assigned specific roles.
“Concessioning gives and takes, the involvement of stakeholders is necessary not only in drafting agreements but in monitoring the tenets of the agreement”, he said.
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