AGAIN: MWUN Tackles Minister Of Marine/Blue Economy Over Failed Seaports Infrastructure

President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who stated this during his New Year message in a chat with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA, lamented that the union will not fold its hands while dockworkers are at high risk in the line of duty, noting that MWUN had raised the alarm earlier without no positive response from the Minister.

The union leader further urged the Minister to visit the failed facilities for first hand information noting that Five Star Logistics Terminal and that of Onne Port are in  entrapping position begging for attention.

Aside the dilapidated quays, Adeyanju re-echoed that some jetties situated at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Lagos are begging for repairs, adding that some of the failed facilities impede port efficiency.

The Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) reiterated that workers deserved a conducive working environment at the port terminals stressing that all is not well with the maritime industry despite the creation of Marine and Blue Economy by the Tinubu led administration .

Adeyanju affirmed that the has a whole lot to fix in line with maritime operations stressing the need for him to tour the eastern ports and further revisit the Lagos ports to proffer lasting solutions to decay infrastructure within and round the port community.

He further decried the poor state of roads linking the port Harcourt seaports calling on the Minister to champion a close working relationship with the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi.

While welcoming the idea for the creation of the new ministry by the President Bola Tinubu, Adeyanju described the Oyetola led ministry as lacking proactive steps in tackling challenges affecting the industry, even as he maintained that the maritime sector is highly technical for the non player to handle.

On his expectations for the coming year, the Union’s President General professed a prosperous 2024 with a view for the government to hard tirelessly in furtherance to stabilize the naira against other foreign currencies, pointing out that Nigeria has the potentials to drive Africa economies.

“We can only be prayerful because we have what it takes to make this country great. And not only Nigeria but Africa as a continent.

“The new ministry has what it takes to generate more money for the government than oil and gas, the ministry has a vibrant sector which is maritime but we truly want a vibrant team that will drive the economy because we can only achieve little with what we have on ground.

“The pace the new ministry is working is not encouraging but whichever way, the union will continue to support and encourage the government to succeed”, Adeyanju maintained.

He also expressed optimism that the economy will bounce back from the unfavourable balance of trade,  adding that expectation for 2024 should focus on a robust economy and job creation.

He also commended members of the union for their unflinching support for the numerous achievements recorded under his leadership .

Recall that former Minister of Transportation, Mallam Mu’Azu Sambo had assured the rehabilitation of the some of the failed terminal before the expiration of the last administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.