Apparently feeling betrayed, the Maritme Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has jettisoned the Memorandum of Understanding it entered with Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) over allegations bothering on distrust, insincerity and dishonesty .
Recall that in August 2021, MWUN, BOAN entered into strategic collaboration even as they inaugurated a high-powered steering committee to harmonise the activities and operations of waterways transportation.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who disclosed this in a chat recently , described the MoU with BOAN members as a marriage of inconvenience noting that the bargers failed to stick to the rules of engagement.
Adeyanju reiterated that members of the Dockworkers Branch, MWUN has also indicated interest to compete in barge activities at the port terminals adding that the barging units would work closely with the dockers for effective and optimal service delivery.
The labour unionist accused the barge operators for disregarding the union while dealing with terminal operators against the backdrop of the MOU alleging that the BOAN members flouted the agreement.
“BOAN are working against the success of that marriage. The former president of BOAN who was the captain steering the ship mid way into the marriage pulled out. He was the one that actually conceived the idea of MoU between we and them. However,his resignation was the beginning of the problem between both parties.
“Though we have our NJIC for Dockworkers Branch and some of the branch executives were not happy with the way and manner things were done alongside some stakeholders, therefore they felt the marriage was a marriage of inconvenience which led to sabotage from the other party and we felt we should pull out.
“We were being deceived by the other party because aside the bond of about N500million , we felt they are not honest in this business, even the committee from our end are confused.
“For example, imagine when the Association of barge operators will tell terminal operators not to recognize the existing MoU rather they should deal with them directly. I reported the matter to my CWC and NEC and they said we should pull out and that is where we are today.”the PG ,MWUN affirmed.
Adeyanju appealed to management of BOAN to have a rethink in line with the business of barge operations adding that ” We can only appeal to management of the association to review their existing constitution and look out for where they are making mistakes.
“On our own part we have reviewed that relationship and found out that there is no need for now. We have agreed that the Dockworkers Branch president and his executives should takeover that operations of barging activities because we already have a unit for that purpose.”
While commending some members of BOAN,Adeyanju also lauded Hajia Bola Muse for her steadfastness and support towards ensuring that the MoU subsist but added that the union position on the issue was beyond her intervention for the partnership to thrive.
Adeyanju who was newly elected as 1st Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), however said the door of the MWUN is open for consultation in the future but maintained that the industry is big to accommodate every opportunity that may arise in furtherance to collaborate with the group of bargers.
Attempt to speak with officials from BOAN prove abortive as the telephone lines of the president was not reachable.
By Roland Ekama
