WARNING STRIKE: How Maritime Workers Halt Port Operations On Tuesday Nationwide

Four branches of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Tuesday, successful halted port operations nationwide as part of the two – day warning strike directives by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) .

The port workers in their thousands, stormed various seaports nationwide carry out peaceful demonstration.

Our correspondent who monitored the exercise in Lagos ports confirmed the presence of the various presidents and members from the four branches – namely, Dockworkers, NPA, Shipping and Seamen coordinating the peaceful demonstration.

The demonstration commenced at about 7am local time at Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) even as they also proceeded to Tin Can Island Port Complex (TICPC) at 11:30am.

The placard carrying members of the union were sighted chanting solidarity songs alongside some inspirational tunes from Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti

The leaders who took turn to address the mammoth crowd in the respective seàports, expressed satisfaction for the solidarity turnout of members.

Speaking at the port gate, Deputy President General, MWUN Comrade Harry Leonard Tonye, said the union complied 100% to the NLC directive nationwide and all the seàports are on total lockdown.

Tonye said the demonstration is for the betterment of Nigerians noting that the leadership of NLC will dish out directives about what to expect on the second day warning strike.

He affirmed that the four branches are on ground to show solidarity towards ensuring that ports are on total shutdown.

“We are not really happy about the strike considering the fact that this is where we get our source of livelihood from but we cannot undermine millions of Nigerians who are clamouring for change over the subsidy removal.” Tonye said.

President, NPA Branch, Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli said ” This is just Lagos Ports Complex and I can tell you that there are compliance from out ports, Calabar, Warri, Port Harcourt,
Onne .”

“We are not opposite party but we the government to talk to us in a way that we will understand. Government should show some high sense of commitment. Government should keep an open mind with us ,”Mazeli stated.

The NPA President said the warning strike will continue the next day but added that expect there is a reasonable commitment from the Tinubu led government.

On his part, President, Seamen and Water Transport NIWA Branch MWUN, Comrade Sunday Avoseh said the rate of compliance by the branch members is well over 100%.

Avoseh affirmed that the shutdown will send a strong signal to the government that the Nigerià labour Union and its affiliates are not joking about the hardship faced by the masses.

Similarly, President Shipping Branch Comrade Ekpeyong Ekpeyong said members of MWUN are not out to fight management of the terminal operators and shipping line agencies praying for the government to have a change of mind .

Ekpeyong pointed out that the masses have lost hope in the government saying that the protest is aimed to better the lots of workers welfare.

Addressing the workers also, President, Dockworkers Branch Comrade Tajudeen Ohize called on members of the union to embark on peaceful demonstration urging them to maintain orderliness in line with the directives.

Ohize appealed to the workers to ensure that the peaceful warning strike is not hijacked by unscrupulous elements adding that NLC delegates would give out directives on what to expect on the day two warning strike.

 

By Roland Ekama