MWUN Recounts Death Incident Of Dockworker At Five Star Logistics , Raises Alarm Over Safety Negligence By Terminal Operators

 

 

By Roland Ekama

Worried about ill treatment on dockworkers by  employers of labour across the seaports, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised the alarm over negligence on safety standards of port concessionaires and other service providers.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) affiliate group accused Stevedoring Contractors, Terminal Operators, and other port users across seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil platforms in Nigeria of negligence linked to safety of workers which has resulted to multiple death cases and injuries.

According to a statement made available to DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA on Saturday, December 28, 2024, the union frowned against the lack of compliance with basic safety protocols by the port terminal operators , noting that this has continued to endanger not only the lives of members but also the efficiency and sustainability of the maritime industry.

The statement signed by Comrade Oniha Erazua, Deputy Secretary General, MWUN expressed dissatisfaction overs the lacklustre attitude of the terminal operators in Nigeria, even as he called the port economic regulator and apex maritime regulatory agency to sanction erring concessionaires against the backdrop of multiple death cases recorded at the facilities.

The statement disclosed that the union cannot continue to tolerate a system where the safety and well-being of workers are treated as secondary considerations, pointing out that
As a responsible union, it would be forced to declare a state of emergency on non-provision of safety materials and personnel and lack of compliance to safety standards and protocols by stevedores engaged by terminal operators.

The statement reads in full “The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has observed with deep concern the alarming neglect of safety standards and protocols by Stevedoring Contractors, Terminal Operators, and other port users across seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil platforms in Nigeria.

“This negligence has resulted in an unacceptable rate of avoidable deaths and permanent injuries among our members, who are exposed daily to the hazardous nature of port operations.

” One amongst many of such avoidable accidents occurred on 25 December 2024 at berth 9, Tincan Island Port, whence Com. Kazeem Adeshina was crushed to death due to negligence on the path of his employer.

“Despite repeated calls for improved safety measures, many operators have failed to adequately provide critical safety infrastructure such as personal protective equipment (PPE), communication gadgets, first aid kits, ambulances, and trained safety officers in operational areas.

“This lack of compliance with basic safety protocols endangers not only the lives of our members but also the efficiency and sustainability of the maritime industry.

“The MWUN condemns in totality this disregard for human lives and safety, which has led to the needless loss of our members and placed their families in perpetual sorrow.

” We cannot continue to tolerate a system where the safety and well-being of workers are treated as secondary considerations.
As a responsible union, we hereby declare a state of emergency on non-provision of safety materials and personnel and lack of compliance to safety standards and protocols by stevedores engaged by terminal operators, in all seaports, terminals, jetties and oil and gas platforms and call on all concerned government agencies to take note and act accordingly as failure to enforce safety standards which leads to avoidable accidents in ports operation will elicit the withdrawal of the services of our members from all port activities nation – wide. ”