We Will Continue To Encourage Indigenous Terminal Operators – Dockworkers President

President, Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Ibrahim Tajudeen Ohize has asserted that the labour force  at the seaports  will continue to encourage indigenous port concessionaires to compete favourably with other multinational terminal operators in Nigeria.

Comrade Ohize in a chat on Tuesday in Lagos,  resolved the Union’s commitment  to support   indigenous concessionaires from extinction adding that the peculiarity of those facilities owned by Nigerians  can perform better when the federal government provide an enabling environment for business at the port to thrive.

The unionist  noted that the indigenous terminal operators have the listening hears of the workers adding that welfare of workers and relationship with the union has been cordial.

Speaking against the backdrop of some terminal operators’ abysmal performances for workers welfare at the seaport , the President noted that “We don’t want the indigenous terminal operators to go on extinction and that is why we are taking things easy with them because we will continue to support them.

The Indigenous terminal operators at Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) include; ENL Consortium Limited ; Port and Cargo Handling Services Limited Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) respectively.

According to him, some of the demands by the workers at ENL has been met by the concessionaires, mostly at ENL terminals, where facilities like toilets and bathroom have been provided for dockworkers.

He recalled that ENL was a time bomb years past but added that the terminal has been able to provide some of needed facilities for the workers .

Ohize noted that the engagement by the local concessionaires with the union on improved packages and conducive working environment was yielding positive impacts.

Ohize pointed out that kits , preventive and protective equipment have been provided for workers maintaining that “There are still rooms for improvement.

He further stressed that ” These are some of the things we are clamouring for the workers and to be modest this terminal has been gradually providing for workers.

“If the union demands for 100% and at the end we get 50-60% then we are making progress because we are always considerate based on the economic hardship world over”.

“There is nothing we can do but to support these terminal operators because at times as human we should also understand the situation on ground “,Ohize affirmed.

By Roland Ekama