By Newsshelve Correspondent.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) hosted the 2024 Day of the Dockworker celebration at the NPA Sports Ground in Surulere, Lagos.
The event brought together stakeholders from the maritime industry, government agencies, and dockworkers to recognize the invaluable contributions of dockworkers to the Nigerian economy.
In his welcome address, Dr. Dayo Moberola, Director General of NIMASA, emphasized the importance of safety and efficiency in the maritime industry.
“Our theme, ‘Safety First, Efficiency Always,’ speaks to the core values that drive our daily endeavors,” he said.
Moberola, represented by Executive Director Operations, Fatai Adeyemi, also acknowledged the critical role dockworkers play in ensuring the seamless movement of goods that fuel the economy.
The Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, Jibril Abba, also delivered a welcome address, highlighting the need to prioritize the welfare and working conditions of dockworkers.
“The theme of this year’s event was chosen to enable us to deeply reflect on the need to prioritize the welfare and general working conditions of our dockworkers,” he said.
The event featured the launch of the reviewed Minimum Standards for the Dock Labour Industry Booklets, which codifies the implementation of approved conditions of service and collective bargaining agreements on Minimum Standards. The document has been ratified by the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC).
In his remarks, Moberola announced the distribution of dockworkers’ biometric identification cards and emphasized the need for stakeholders to adhere to high safety standards in their operations.
He also urged Dock Labour Employers to ensure that dockworkers are adequately compensated in the event of accidents or fatalities, in accordance with the Employee Compensation Act.
The celebration was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, among others.
In his closing remarks, Moberola, thanked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his clear plans to rapidly develop the Nigerian Maritime and Blue Economic sector.
He also expressed gratitude to all parties who made the celebration a reality and pledged the commitment of NIMASA to ensuring that dockworkers’ welfare is treated with great importance.
The Day of the Dockworker celebration is an annual event aimed at recognizing the contributions of dockworkers to the Nigerian economy.
This year’s event was marked with fanfare, with stakeholders reiterating their commitment to prioritizing safety and efficiency in the maritime industry.
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