DOCKWORKERS DAY: MWUN Seeks Minister’s Intervention To Fix Failed Quay Apron At Tin Can ,Onne Ports

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN has again raised the concerns over the decay in ports Infrastructure across the littoral states of the nation, saying that the dilapidated quay apron Tin Can Island Port Complex and Port Harcourt port pose serious danger to dockworkers.

President General of MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos during the Dockworkers Day Celebration.

Adeyanju who is also the Deputy President ,Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), lamented that the two major seàports in Lagos are old hence government and the concessionaires have failed to maintain or upgrade the infrastructure for optimal utilisation.

Apparently unhappy with the situation in furtherance for the protection of dockers, the President General stated that “Today’s event is expected to X-ray the challenges faced by the Dockworkers in their daily struggle and efforts toward Port efficiency and in the light of ever – improving technological driven economy.

“Hence, training and career is fundamental and provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to protect them against various hazardous working conditions.

“It is instructive to note that the environment we operate has posed dangers to our lives. For instance, the quay aprons at Apapa port complex are dilapidated and Tin Can Island Port Complex has collapsed due to long use while Port Harcourt port is aged and decrepit.

On the access road linking the seaports, especially at the Onne port, the MWUN frontman reiterated that the gridlock has affected on various aspect of the maritime industry’s activity with wide ranging negative impacts on both vehicular, cargo and human movement within and outside ports.

He said “On this note we wish to call on the relevant authorities to expedite action in rehabilitating and finding lasting solution to the bad state of port access roads in all port formations nationwide.

“Special note should be taken of Onne Port access road which is in a state of decay. On the side we wish to remind the federal government on the need to resuscitate the pool system of Tally clerks and on board gang way security men.

He also affirmed that the role of dockworkers is vital and crucial to ports operation, stressing that without dockers the nation cannot talk of effective  operational activities at the seàports.

The labour leader lamented that over time the dockers were not given their due recognition despite their immense contribution to nation building.

Speaking on the  Dockworkers 2023 theme: “Healthy Dock Worker Better Productivity”, Adeyanju noted that this is the first to be held in the notable history of dockers existence in Nigeria, even as he commended dockers for their contributions to nation building.l

Continuing, the unionist called on the National Assembly and relevant government agencies   to join hands in celebration of Dockworkers Day and to also support the event annually.

Similarly, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)Dr. Bashir Jamoh said seafarers and dockworkers are key maritime labour workers adding that ” they play invaluable roles in the maritime sector that continue to support businesses and organizations in building a strong world economy.

“While seafarers ensure that vessels and cargoes get to their various destinations safely, dockworkers see to the effective loading and offloading of cargoes, thus completing an essential task in the shipping value chain.