Business
Port Operators’ Employment Policies Worry Firms
Members of he National Association of Stevedoring Companies, have raised alarm that port concession agreement has greatly affected the services of the body, as stevedoring functions are being trampled upon by some port operators with regard to employment of dock workers.
Briefing newsmen, the president, National Association of Stevedoring Companies, Bolaji Sunmola said some jetting operators were not following the laid down rules by engaging the services of stevedoring companies on their own.
According to him, the terminal operators by virtue of port concessioning agreement were engaging dockworkers but jetty operators cannot appoint any stevedoring company except this is done by the Federal Ministry of Transport.
He explained that the stevedoring contract signed with government was meant to exist for 10 years and subject to renewal by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), saying that the stevedoring companies, jetty and terminal operators should work in partnership, as NPA has drawn a tripartite agreement spelling out what was expected of all the operators.
He continued, “all over the world, stevedoring companies are employers of dock labour at ports while terminal operators should normally in all ramifications be partners,” assuring that the association was committed to improving the welfare of dock workers due to the many hazards of the job.
Sunmola said there had been a collective bargaining to improve the welfare of dock workers, adding that dock workers now earn wages commensurate with what they do. He noted that “there has been agreement that there would be periodic review of their of their dock workers wages every two years. We want the dock workers to be compensated for what they do and you will agree with me that port’s work is hazardous.”
To him, the era of placing dock workers as casuals was over in the dock industry, saying that any stevedoring company doing this would be flaunting the rule of the industry.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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