Ken Okeke
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has asked International Oil Companies, terminal and jetty operators, and all other companies involved in stevedoring in the country to refrain from engaging unregistered dockworkers.
The Agency has therefore advised stakeholders, including dock labor employers and stevedoring companies, are encouraged to apply for new operating licenses or renew expired ones within a 30-day moratorium period.
This requirement is stipulated by the NIMASA Act of 2007 and outlined in the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations of 2014, which mandates strict compliance from all maritime operators.
The Agency’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola noted the need for stakeholders to comply with extant laws and regulations, stating, “No terminal or company shall continue to engage the services of unregistered dockworkers for cargo handling at their work locations. This move is part of our broader effort to ensure safe and regulated operations within Nigeria’s maritime industry. Compliance with these regulations will enhance our ability to maintain an up-to-date database of dockworkers operating in the country. It also improves our planning processes, as we are committed to developing their capacity to meet globally accepted standards for dockworkers in Nigeria. We intend to enforce full compliance after the moratorium period”, he stated.
The NIMASA Act, 2007, Part IX, Section 27, addresses the registration of Dockworkers which focuses on Maritime Labour. It ensures the Registration, Regulation, and control of Maritime Labour, including dockworkers. The Act assigns the Agency the responsibility of maintaining standards in accordance with international best practices.