Juliet Ezeh
Nigeria may be losing billions in revenue and facing growing security threats as no fewer than 243 operational jetties across the country reportedly function without proper regulatory oversight.
This concern was raised by the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in a petition addressed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to the union, the absence of supervision from key agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has created serious gaps in the nation’s maritime operations.
MWUN noted that many of these jetties operate outside regulatory control, leading to widespread violations of maritime labour laws and the engagement of unregistered dockworkers.
The union also highlighted the critical shortage of tally clerks and on-board gangway security personnel, warning that their absence has weakened cargo monitoring and port security systems nationwide.
It explained that without tally clerks, cargoes are often under-declared, resulting in significant revenue leakages for the government. At the same time, the lack of proper security presence at ports and jetties has increased the risk of arms trafficking and movement of illegal goods.
Describing the situation as a major threat to both national security and economic stability, MWUN said Nigeria’s port environments have become increasingly porous.
The union further called on the Federal Government to urgently restore the engagement of tally clerks and gangway security personnel under a regulated system. It also urged the minister to direct NIMASA and NPA to strengthen monitoring and enforcement across ports, jetties, bonded terminals, and oil and gas platforms.
MWUN lamented that despite several previous appeals and reports submitted since 2021, the issue remains unresolved.
The union, however, expressed optimism that swift government intervention would address the long-standing challenges affecting the maritime sector and help curb revenue losses while improving security across Nigeria’s waterways.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.