The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), maritime branch has raised the alarm over an alleged renewed attempt by the National Assembly to legislate the Port and Harbour Bill behind back doors.

The two in-house unions in the maritime sector alleged that the Port and Harbour Bill if allowed to be passed into law, would have far-reaching grave consequences on the security of the nation as it would cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

Addressing a joint press conference, yesterday, President General of MWUN, Adeyanju Adewale and President, SSACGOC, Maritime Branch, Akinola Bodunde, called on the executive, National Assembly and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy not to allow the Bill to be passed to law.

They stressed that if the proposed Bill is passed into law, it would render the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) employees jobless and endanger the productivity of other port users.

According to the unions, more sinister is the proposed idea of the Bill to provide wholly employments that will not be pensionable as well as not transferable and without access to terminal benefits.

“This is the height of inconsideration by the proponents of the Bill to the right of workers to the necessary payment for services rendered by a worker, in accordance with known law, industrial relations practice, equity and good conscience.

“It is our belief that allowing this Bill to be passed into law will effectively institutionalise the evil concept of casualisation of workers and as well negate the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004 as amended.

“We the two in-house unions in the maritime sector, MWUN and SSASCGOC will not fold our hands or rest on our oars and allow few unpatriotic Nigerians within the industry to rip off the nation’s commonwealth and render our sector unproductive via this infamous bill that will only create poverty, hopelessness, hunger and generate avid bitterness among the already impoverished workers and Nigeria citizenry. We unequivocally reject the Bill seeking to repeal the Act that set up the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in its entirety,” Adeyanju said.

They alleged that the bill, which was initiated by a member in the eighth assembly, was squashed from becoming law through the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, stakeholders and the in-house unions, who affirmed their opposition towards the proposed “hellish” Bill.

They alleged that the bill was being sponsored by unpatriotic individuals within the maritime sector, who are hell-bent on appropriating the nation’s commonwealth and cornering the same into the lining of their pockets and that of their cronies.