Association in plea to vet ship contractors

By PATRICK BEJA

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has been asked to aid in vetting of ship contractors working at the port of Mombasa.

Kenya Ships Contractors Association (KSCA) chairman Richard Jefa said the move was meant to weed out rogue contractors who were responsible for an alarming number of accidents involving workers.

Mr Jefa said the association used to vet members between 2004 and 2005, but a rival outfit frustrated the efforts. “Since there is no rival association for ship contractors, we have made fresh requests to KPA to reinstate vetting of ship contractors to enforce safety rules and bring down the number of accidents. We have also requested induction courses on safety for our workers,” Jefa said.

He also explained that the association was pushing for the Kenya Maritime Authority’s intervention to enforce fair practices among ship contractors and introduction of uniforms for workers.

Jefa was reacting to a circular from KPA asking ship contractors and agents to strictly observe safety measures at the port or risk having their licences revoked. KPA General Manager for Operations Twalib Khamis told all ship contractors and agents to comply with safety regulations.