INVESTIGATION: Dockworker Died Aboard MV. Yangtze Falcon At ENL Terminal

 

 

Fresh facts have emerged that the late dockworker, Comrade Ademola Akande , died  aboard MV.  “Yangtze Falcon ” with IMO number 9626962 , investigations have revealed.

 

Findings further disclosed  that Hull Blyte is the shipping agency in Nigeria,even as the bulk cargo vessel was built in 2012.

 

The Marshal Island flagged vessel has a gross tonnage of 33047, with summer DWT of 56452 .

 

Late Comrade Akande died  while on duty, working onboard the vessel at ENL Terminals,Lagos Ports Complex.

 

Investigations confirmed that the  docker died while assisting other workers to discharge  Messrs Dangote equipments from the ship to a smaller  barge before the  accident occurred.

 

According to eyewitness account,the equipment on board are basically, structure steel products.

 

Dockworkers who spoke with our correspondent said operational activities at the terminal was placed on a standstill ,even as workers were ordered to evacuate the facilities.

 

It was also gathered that the vessel berthed at the terminal on the

 

ENL Consortium is one of the port concessionaires at LPC and is known for lack of safety equipment.

 

Dockworkers have labeled the terminal as the worst facility where safety measures are taken for granted.

 

In May 2017, a dockworker, simply identified as  Billy Jackson,  died aboard a vessel, MV Nautical Hilary which berthed at the ENL terminal, operators of terminals C&D in Apapa port.

 

Jackson who was in his mid 30s was said to have complained of ill health at the resumption of work on Monday before boarding the ship where he later slumped at about 9am

 

Jackson’s death  grounded operational activities at the terminal for several hours , as there was confusion and many of his colleagues had to stop work in shock.

 

 

President of the Dockworkers Branch of Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) Comrade Tajudeen Ohize who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday , said the union also held a solidarity movement as a last respect for the dead worker.

 

Though he did not give the name of the vessel, Ohize described the unfortunate incident as one of the hazards of being a dockworker at Nigerian ports, even as he confirmed that the remains of the dockworker has been taken to his home state in Ibadan and buried immediately.

 

 

He debunked reports that the union had shut down the terminal in a protest, saying that the workers only held a solidarity movement for one of their own, describing it as a usual practice when anyone of them dies.

 

He assured that all entitlements due to the deceased worker would be taken care of.