Oyetola Hails Dockworkers at SCAN, Calls Them Vital Assets to Nigeria’s Maritime Growth

By Ramadan AbusiOdumare

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has declared the Dockworkers as one of the major valuable and vital assets of the nation’s maritime sector.

Speaking at the annual Dockworkers’Day organised by the Shipping Correspondents of Nigeria (SCAN), in Lagos TODAY, the Minister, who was represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho said there was need to appreciate the global efforts of the Dockworkers and urged the stakeholders to be committed “to take actions that create a better world for these distinguished calibers of men and women of honour who do so much for all of us.”

The event, themed, “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices For Dockworkers” was attended by many dockworkers, labour leaders and stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Oyetola also reiterated the irrefutable fact that “Dockworkers are linchpin of the maritime value chain.”

His words: “I count it a great honour and a good fortune to be part of this noble cause of reiterating the irrefutable fact that Dockworkers are linchpin of the maritime value chain.

With Ports being the key facilitator of economic development, and dockworkers constituting the backbone of port operations, the Minister said, ” it is undoubtedly clear that their labor which ensures the smooth functioning of international trade is the key pillar of economies and communities worldwide.

” Whether you want to refer to them as Stevedores, Long Shoremen, Dock Hands, Loaders / Off loaders etc., without the essential functions performed by dockworkers the maritime transportation system and the global trade it supports would come to a grinding halt.

With over 90 per cent of global trade which accounts for half of the world’s economic output constituting an important economic driver that helps to spur development and reduce poverty going by sea, Oyetola said, ” every member of the maritime and indeed the global community is directly or indirectly a beneficiary of the crucial service dock workers render.

“So, it makes sense to specially celebrate and show appreciation to Dockworkers not only on this Dockworkers’ but every day. Beyond the fanfare however, there is need for every stakeholder here represented to arise from this celebration with a stronger commitment to take actions that create a better world for these distinguished calibers of men and women of honour who do so much for all of us.

“Although, it is good to know as studies have shown that sea transport is the most environmentally friendly of transport forms, it is much more important to acknowledge that Dockworkers have always played and continue to play a pivotal role in the establishment of this fact.

“Indeed, the much talked about efficiency and seamlessness of operations required to attain sustainable ease of doing business rests heavily on how well we are able to equip our Dockworkers,” the declared.

Oyetola also commended the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) as highly cherished partners and for the foresight of the group that birthed the yearly commemoration of the Dockworkers’ Day.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have said all of these to establish the irrefutable fact that our dockworkers are our highly treasured assets in whom we are well pleased and very proud,” Oyetola said.