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| Protesting ex-employees of Nigerian Ports Authourity at the entrance to Lagos Port Complex yesterday |
• Face-off With Dockworkers Averted
• NPA Management Promises To Address Grievances
Activities at the Apapa port complex was yesterday placed on hold as the 2006 severed workers of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) shut down port operations to further drive home their demand for payment of outstanding pensions.
The NPA retirees were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as: "Sarumi you have killed us", "Mallam Habib Abdullahi pay us our money", "We have stopped our children from going to school", ``Enough is enough'', ``NPA pay us our money'', ``Our members are dying'' and ``Pay us our entitlement'' boldly written on them.
Their action made it impossible for thousands of workers, who arrived early for work, to gain access to the various terminals.
However, what could have led to commotion was quickly abated when the protesting retirees were confronted by dockworkers who wanted to gain entrance into the port to go about their daily operations. The dockworkers challenged the retirees saying that the ex-NPA workers cannot stop them from doing their jobs.
The peaceful protest caused long traffic snarl, while many commuters going to the Wharf were forced to trek.
Buses carrying workers to the terminals were also stranded as they could not enter the ports.
Some of the retirees said that they decided to protest because the management of NPA had refused to listen to their demand in spite of their letters and pleas.
Mrs Kafayat Bello, a retiree said ``our children are out of school, our members are dying and we have been pleading with NPA management, but nothing has been done''.
Bello said that many of the retirees who laboured for the NPA had died without getting their benefits.
Mr Aluku Silva, General Secretary 2006/2007 Retirees Association, said that the disengaged workers would continue to protest until their demands were met.
Silva said that the retirees were demanding for their inclusion in the defined benefit pension scheme.
``We also ask NPA management to ensure the payment of 10 per cent pension and gratuity for premature retirees according to a circular dated May 14, 2008,’’ Silva said.
He said it was regrettable that several letters written to the management were not replied and no reason was given for delaying the payment of their entitlements.
But the management of NPA held closed door meeting with the aggrieved ex-workers where
it reiterated its commitment to the welfare of the retirees.
Buses carrying workers to the terminals were also stranded as they could not enter the ports.
Some of the retirees said that they decided to protest because the management of NPA had refused to listen to their demand in spite of their letters and pleas.
Mrs Kafayat Bello, a retiree said ``our children are out of school, our members are dying and we have been pleading with NPA management, but nothing has been done''.
Bello said that many of the retirees who laboured for the NPA had died without getting their benefits.
Mr Aluku Silva, General Secretary 2006/2007 Retirees Association, said that the disengaged workers would continue to protest until their demands were met.
Silva said that the retirees were demanding for their inclusion in the defined benefit pension scheme.
``We also ask NPA management to ensure the payment of 10 per cent pension and gratuity for premature retirees according to a circular dated May 14, 2008,’’ Silva said.
He said it was regrettable that several letters written to the management were not replied and no reason was given for delaying the payment of their entitlements.
But the management of NPA held closed door meeting with the aggrieved ex-workers where
it reiterated its commitment to the welfare of the retirees.
The meeting which held at the corporate head office of NPA in Lagos yesterday by both parties yielded fruitful result as a letter that was signed by the Managing Director of the agency; Mallam Habib Abdulahi was dispatched to Abuja to resolved the pensioners’ grievances.
Addressing representatives of the aggrieved retirees, the managing director expressed his commitment to addressing the plight of the retirees.
The M.D who was represented by the Executive Director; Finance and Administration; Mr. Olumide Oduntan stated that since assuming office the present management of the authority has remained focused on efforts to resolve all pending issues concerning the disengaged workers.
He however said that the retirees should appreciate that there was a policy of government which gave rise to port concession which led to their disengagement in 2006.
He assured representatives of the retirees that the board will speedily address the issues.
He said a letter has been dispatched to the ministry of transport with a view to ensuring a speedy response to the demands of the retirees.
Abduallahi further appealed for calm by all affected persons while advising that they should not take the laws into their hands by disrupting port operations.
The agency also seized the opportunity to assure port users and other stakeholders of uninterrupted port services.
On his part, Chairman of the retirees Comrade Charles Binitire expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, even as he said that both parties have finally agreed on the letter sent to the ministry.
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