Cargo Surveyors’ demand NPA’s speedy conclusion of survey contract

Cargo Survey Practitioners, CSP, have decried the working condition of its members, even as they called on the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to quickly conclude the process leading to the award of new contract to firms responsible for survey duties in the country to prevent job loss.

CSP inspects cargoes of seagoing vessels to certify compliance with national and international health and safety regulations in cargo handling and stowage. They also read vessel documents that set forth cargo loading and securing procedures, capacities, and stability factors to ascertain cargo capabilities according to design and cargo regulations.

The CSP noted that they are not properly remunerated and that their salaries are not being paid as at when due.

In a statement signed by Peter Eboung, noted that the incumbent cargo survey contractors have not increased their salaries in the last five years of their operation even due the rate of dollar increased resulting in higher revenue for the contractors.

According to CSP, “Some of the incumbent cargo survey contractors owe their staff between five months to one year and above unpaid salaries. The practitioners also pointed out that the survey contractors did not train them during the five years of their operations.”

They also explained that their employers do not consider them during public holidays, over time and night duty. They called on NPA management to look into these complains with a view of making the cargo survey duty meet with what is obtainable internationally.

They charged the incumbent contractors not to challenge the NPA process of ensuring that the right firms are selected for the job of cargo survey while advising those coming in to engage the service of professionals like the present contractors did when they first got the contract five years ago. 

A visit to NPA, the General Manager in charge Procurement department responsible for recommendation of contractors to be engaged was said to be on leave while the Acting head, Barth Nwaiwu said he could not comment on the issue after explaining that the process for the award is still ongoing.

However, a source in NPA told Vanguard that most of the incumbent contractors are working against the smooth completion of the process because they are worried that they may not get re-appointed.