There are indications that the Federal Government may have approved a new salary structure for staffers of the Nigerian Ports Authority, sources at the Federal Ministry of Transportation has confirmed to Shipping World. Usually dependable sources told this magazine that the former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi, had upon an application by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority,Mohammed Bello Koko, approved an upward review of the salaries of workers of the Agency .
The last time such an upward review of wages was embarked upon was in 2004.Early this week, the Agency’s workers had threatened to shut down the nation’s Seaports if the cry for improved wages was not heeded. President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who frowned at the development had since forwarded a protest letter to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello Koko.
A source at the Federal Ministry of Transportation who confided in this magazine explained that the former helmsman of the Ministry, Mr Amaechi forwarded his recommendations to the salaries and wages Commission as well as the office of Head of Service of the Federation who sent same to Secretary to Government of the Federation. Said our source: “As we speak, the Budget Office under the Federal Ministry of Finance is making its final input pending the composition of a Ministerial committee that would include the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. All things being equal, we expect a final ratification before the life span of this administration winds down “; our source further confirmed.