Tin-Can Island, Lagos
| credits: naijaintellect.wordpress.com
Employees in Nigeria’s maritime industry have commended the Federal Government for revoking the Presidential Implementation on Maritime Security and Safety.
The employees, under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, said the scrapping of PICOMSS was one happening in the sector that must be supported by every genuine operator or stakeholder.
PICOMSS, an adhoc agency, created during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was initiated to aide security in the maritime sector following the terror attack on United the State in 2001. This was despite the existence of other security outfits in the sector.
The President-General, Mr. Emmanuel Nted, in a statement, said, “We received the news of the scrapping of PICOMSS with joy and happiness. It is a welcome development that must be supported by every genuine operator or stakeholder in the sector.”
It was learnt that the initiative was however reported scrapped for refusing to merge with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. Stakeholders in the sector, including workers, had vigorously campaigned against the initiative.
But some vested interest had sent a bill to the National Assembly requesting that it be made an organ to that would provide security to nation’s maritime sector.
MWUN had argued that it was duplication of one of the core responsibilities of NIMASA, and a potential drain pipe for the nation. It praised the government for consenting to the advice and views of stakeholders that another security outfit was not needed in the sector.
Nted said, “As a major stakeholder in the sector, we can say that this has demonstrated that the government is a listening one. We praise the government for listening to a wiser counsel and the views of stakeholders in the sector who had in unionism protested against PICOMSS. We have continued to stress that NIMASA has a major responsibility to provide security to the nation’s water ways alongside the Navy, Marine Police and other security agencies.
“We are aware that some vested interest in the presidency and corridors of power wanted to use PICOMSS to drain the nation scarce resource. Thank God, President Goodluck Jonathan allowed patriotism to guide his judgment. We once again, call on the government to empower NIMASA to be able to carryout jobs assigned to it.”