Nigerian Ports
Worried by the way and manner they are used , a trade union has called on the Federal Government to ban the operation of private jetties in the country.
Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporation, (SSACTAC) Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Branch (Eastern Ports) made the call during its 22nd Joint Consultative Conference (JCC) held in Edo State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its conference, the association said allowing private ownership of jetties posed a great security risk to the country.
The workers argued that the jetties could be used to import arms and ammunition into the country thereby threatening the fragile security of the country.
The communiqué which was signed by NPA SSACTAC, President Comrade Omeiza J. Umar and the Secretary, Comrade Akin Leoso, recalled that a private jetty was used by the military officers led by Major Gideon Orkar in an attempted failed coup of 1990.
While commending the Federal Ministry of Transport and NPA for taking the bull by the horn in ensuring that ports are free of congestion, the association advised the Federal Government against imposing policies and orders that are inimical to the progress of the ports.
Applauding the Federal Government’s efforts at improving road infrastructure, the workers however, said the government should create dry ports linked by rail to the sea ports to avert likely future congestions at the seaports.
“Establishing dry sea ports and improving rail services will also reduce pressure on the roads, provide employment to teeming Nigerians and also increase revenue generation”, the communiqué said.
Participants at the conference also enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently deliver the basic necessities of life to Nigerians.
These include regular electricity supply, fuel for domestic, industrial and automotive use, basic health care and affordable accommodation.