Maritime Unions Tackle FG Over Failure To Clampdown On Unregistered Seafaring Groups

By Roland Ekama, Delta

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Association NMNOWTSSA have called on the federal government to tackle the proliferation of regimented seafaring associations, saying with emergence of pseudo names in the industry would lead to insecurity in the country.

The two unions expressed worries over the use of naval uniform by some associations who are not affiliates to either the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

Speaking on the sideline at the 1st quadrennial national delegates conference held in Asaba ,Delta State ,Deputy President General of the MWUN, Comrade Douglas Eromobor frowned at some of the associations parading self as seafarers outfit.

Eromobor called on the security agencies and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to map out strategies to end the anomalies,noting that the emergence of such bodies are threat to national security.

He noted that issues surrounding impersonation would continue to rise if the government fails to nip the pseudo names in the maritime sub sector in the bud.

The Deputy President General , said : “We are having problem right now in the maritime industry and I think we should put an end to that because those people are not certified seafarers.

Eromobor lamented that the unknown groups were not part of the deliberations on the welfare package or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the seafarers thus have no position paper on the need for government to better the lots of Nigerian ratings or officers aboard ships.

” If some groups of people claim to be seafarers and are not part of the transport unions like MWUN for the ratings or Comrade Matthew Alalade NMNOWTSSA then what is there interest?

“We want the federal government to identify all these anomalies which with time might lead to insecurity in Nigeria if not properly managed or addressed.

He noted further that :” We are begging the federal government of Nigeria to identify these group of people wearing uniforms like the Nigerian Navy.

Eromobor further noted that the two unions registered under TUC and NLC have no business with such groups parading themselves as seafarers outfit because the regulatory agency and the organised labour unions cannot identify with the groups.

The union leader also challenged the faceless groups to take a bold step and engage NIMASA on the authenticity of their existing association or union.

He also commended President General of the MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju for the robust relationship between the two unions,adding that all hands must be on deck to strengthen the taskforce set up by the union in tackling fake manning agents.

Also speaking, former National President, NMNOWTSSA, Captain Thomas Kemewerigha said that the unions are registered transport organisations registered under labour laws , adding that quack associations would pose serious setback to the maritime sector considering the insecurity challenges faced in the country.

Captain Kemewerigha lamented that the government has failed to clampdown on these groups; which according to him,are faceless bodies without significant value to the growth of the maritime sector.

The former NMNOWTSSA boss spoke on the topic” The Impact Of Pseudo Names In The Recognition Of Our Existence “.