Dockworkers Death: NIMASA ‎to Sanction Five Star Logistics ‎Terminal

There are indications that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)‎ may have resolved to sanction Five Star Logistics Terminal at the Tin Can Island port for lacking in good health care and safety standard of workers in their environment.

This is coming against the backdrop of deaths of two dockworkers within the terminal in two weeks.

The victims are Samson Oheha who died in an accident on Sept. 19. E leven days after the death of Oheha another dockworker
was killed in an accident when  heavy metal pipes fell on Mr Pius Itahon a 62-year-old grandfather, who later died before he could get to the hospital.

Speaking with our correspondent in reaction to these developments, Deputy Director Public Relations of NIMASA Hajia Lami Tumaka said the agency had not abandoned the dockworkers but have commenced investigations into the ugly incidents.

She said a committee had been set up to investigate why two dockworkers could die in two weeks and review the safety standards of the terminal.

"We are in discussion with the terminal operators and we will sanctions them. Somebody must be held responsible for breaching the rules of engagement."

Speaking earlier in the week, the President, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN)‎, dockworkers branch, Com. Adewale Adeyanju had expressed worry over the state of safety at Five Star Logistics Terminal. ‎

Adeyanju accused Five Star Logistics of being notorious for
breaching health and safety rules.
"That terminal has not been safety conscious. This is the same terminal we have been complaining about. The terminal is notorious for not being safety conscious"

"No safety helmet, boots, coverall and we have been writing to them severally before this ugly incident happened"

"This will be the last accident that will happen in any terminal and we said any terminal that does not treat the safety of workers well, we will allow the workers to stay at home," he said. ‎

Effort to speak with the terminal operator proved abortive as a man simply known as chucks refused to speak saying he is not the one to react to the development. When probed further on why death of two dockworkers could happen within two weeks, he declined comment. It would be recalled that this is not the first time accident would claim dockworkers life in the terminal. On May 22nd one Ahmed Usman, who resided at  10, Seriki Street, Idi Araba in Mushin
and hailed from Nasarawa State, died at about 1 a.m,  Saturday.

He was a member of the dockworkers branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria. Late Usman was a specialist in forklift at the terminal and died while trying to avoid  an  accident while on night shift. Also, in April 2013, a dockworker who was simply identified as Uduak died, following an accident at the terminal.

Uduak died when the ‘ramp’ of a loader trailer fell on him, crushing him to death instantly. http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/dockworkers-death-nimasa-%E2%80%8Eto-sanction-five-star-logistics-%E2%80%8Eterminal