The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has urged for the 0.5% collected into the Stevedore Fund to be dedicated to the training of dockworkers.
During a recent Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria event, in collaboration with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in Lagos, Dr. Vicky Hastrup, Chairman of STOAN, emphasized the need for a state-of-the-art training center with updated equipment for dockworkers in Nigeria.
Hastrup noted that the 0.5% charge, collected in dollars by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has not been utilized for its intended purpose. She stressed the importance of professional training for dockworkers, who play a crucial role in the economy.
Hastrup stated, “Terminal operators pay 0.5% of cargo stevedoring charges to NIMASA, which should be used for dockworkers’ training. We are advocating for the funds to be used as intended. NIMASA should establish a training facility equipped with the necessary tools for both practical and theoretical training.”
She added that while terminal operators conduct their own training, they lack the capacity to build such a comprehensive facility. NIMASA, with its resources, could provide the required training infrastructure.
Hastrup, also the CEO of ENL Consortium, highlighted the critical role of dockworkers in the marine industry, asserting that their proper training is essential for the efficient operation of ports and the overall robustness of the economy.
Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President-General of MWUN, criticized the trainers employed by NIMASA, describing them as uncertified and their certificates as not meeting global standards. He pointed out that dockworkers often have to travel to Ghana to receive training with internationally recognized certificates. Adeyanju warned that untrained dockworkers pose significant risks at ports.
In response, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, President of the National Association of Stevedore (NASO), noted that while NIMASA receives 0.5% of the levy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) receives 10%. Sunmola disagreed with STOAN’s position, stating that the levy is not solely for dockworker training but also covers other services provided by NIMASA. He questioned whether NIMASA is fulfilling all its responsibilities related to the levy.