Bello-Koko, while conveying this in a statement on Monday, mentioned that the NPA has successfully mediated peace between the union and operators in the oil and gas industry concerning non-compliance with Stevedoring regulations.
Last week, the MWUN threatened to close the nation’s seaports, jetties, and oil and gas platforms today over what it termed as the continued refusal of the International Oil Companies and Stevedoring Contractors to comply with the Stevedoring Extant Laws. They cited "lack of access to work locations, lack of remittance of 3 percent MWUN levy by Stevedores."
The union expressed frustration, stating that despite numerous letters, press releases, ultimatums, marine notices, and ministerial orders, all were consistently ignored, with the NPA bearing blame for allowing the IOCs to operate without control.
In response, Bello-Koko assured that the agency would take all necessary measures to ensure peace and industrial harmony among the groups.
“We will do all it takes to ensure industrial harmony and prevent the shutdown of crucial production platforms of the oil and gas, and allied industries that maritime workers control. The national economy cannot afford any shutdown at this time,” he said.
Bello-Koko addedthat at the end of the meeting which took place at the agency’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos State, a communiqué addressing the workers’ grievances and subsequent suspension of planned strike action was signed.
Bello-Koko noted that those in attendance included the Executive Vice-President (Down Stream), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Adedapo Segun; Deputy President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Adewale Adeyanju; President, National Association of Stevedoring Operators, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola; Managing Director, Nigerian Pipeline Storage Company, Mr. Bayo Adenrele; and the Assistant Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retail Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, amongst other industry leaders.
