MINIMUM WAGE: Union Tasks NPA To Prioritize Workers Welfare, Honours Okaga, Onari

By Roland Ekama

In line with the new minimum wage resolution between the federal government and organised labour, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) has advised the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho to prioritize and protect workers welfare under the agency payroll.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) affiliate union also urged the new Managing Director to adopt management – workers friendly working environment as part of efforts to boost productivity and capacity .

President General, MWUN , Comrade Adewale Adeyanju made the plea on Friday 19th July, 2024., when the former Executive Director of Marine and Operations, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) ,Onari Brown and the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Charles Bamidele Okaga paid a courtesy visit to the Union Secretariat in Lagos .

Adeyanju urged the new MD Abubakar Dantsoho to work closely with the union adding that workers are the ones that lay the golden eggs.

Adeyanju emphasized that the Union is doing a great job of reformation , noting that workers are no longer area boys, but are doing very well professionally.

He stated that the Union will work hand in hand with Abubakar Dantsoho, the new Managing Director of NPA, pointing out that
” We at MWUN are reformists.Our dock workers are no longer ‘agberos’ .

” We are using this medium to tell the new MD of NPA that MWUN will support him and work with him.I also advise him not to listen to sycophants.

 

“We pray that the new MD of NPA will be workers friendly. He should be somebody that will take good care of the workers.Salaries were just review almost 18 years ago.

“Another minimum wages have come again and we are ready to face the challenges of this struggle. The responsibilities of any union leader is to protect the welfare of his members. We use this medium to tell management of NPA that we will work with him and he said not listen to sycophants ”,he advised.

Commending the guests, the union leader reiterated that Onari Brown and Charles Okaga are sources of support to the Union, even as he appreciated them for having the interest of the workers at heart.

” Onari Brown is a wonderful leader who has assisted MWUN in many ways.We are not praise singers and we don’t worship employers but we worship those ones that are good and we recognize those that are workers friendly who pay our wages as at when due.Since the beginning of this Union, Onari Brown is the second Executive Director that has visited the Union”

” Charles Okaga is a very peaceful man.He is never disconnected from workers and from the Union.He is a technocrat who study cargoes very well”.

In response, Charles Okaga complimented Adeyanju for the warm welcome and his efforts in building up the Union .He also praised Onari Brown for being an upright person.

“I want to thank the uncommon President General of MWUN for his achievements and landmark.He converted the Union from been a warzone to a peaceful state.I salute him for inviting us to this onerous occasion.His action is audacious and it beats my imagination.”

 

” This honour given to us cannot be forgotten because there cannot be a higher honour than this as it was not solicited for, induced or complained of ”

“MWUN is synonymous to NPA.It sees dock labour work as a work that does not stop at the dock.It is now moving in line with the movement of Nigeria Economic Frontier outside of the immediate Board .It has been working hand in hand with NPA consistently to promote progress and take care of seafarers and dock workers .Today, we have very vibrant, responsive and extremely productive dock workers.”

” I believe that Onari Brown is prepared for higher responsibilities.He is a man of the people and a very good fellow.He is the kindest human being I have ever met on earth. He is very humble and he has taught us that position must not separate us from our grassroot ”

Onari Brown followed suit in acknowledging Adeyanju for his kind gesture.He also thanked the workers of the Union for being sources of support to him.However, he encouraged MWUN to be closely connected with the new NPA MD.

 

“I couldn’t imagine MWUN will honour me in this manner after seven months of leaving office.It is so overwhelming.I thank Adeyanju and for working with me while I was in office and I thank other workers for supporting him.”

” MWUN should continue working with NPA.It may not be smooth always but extend the support you have given to me to my successors. They may be new in the industry and they may not have the same approach.Overtime, you will understand each other better “.