Maritime Workers Advocate Equity, Fairness In Lekki Free Port Terminals Recruitment 

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called on management of the Lekki Free Port Terminals, operators of Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos to ensure that there is equity and fairness in the recruitment process for  applicants across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

 

The MWUN also urged  the Human Resources department of the new port to consult with the national executives of the  union for recommendations and advisories purpose as part of measures to engage those with the requisite knowledge of port terminal operations mostly as it concerns dockworkers and terminal operations.

 

The Lekki Free Port Terminals LFT is expected to commence operations in the 3rd quarter of 2022.

 

Speaking at a working visit to management of the Lekki Free Port Terminals in Lagos on Thursday, President General MWUN,Comrade Adewale Adeyanju reiterated that unions commitment to work in synergy with the terminal operators for effective port operations and efficiency in service delivery.

 

Adeyanju maintained that the union will support the port terminal operator to maintain industrial harmony between workers and management adding that with the commencement of operations at the  new port, there will be massive job placement.

 

According to him, issues of militancy and youths unrest within the port communities must be avoided in furtherance to ensure smooth port operations.

 

Canvassing for  effective service delivery for the terminal operator  and workers productivity, the Union’s President General, affirmed that employment of workers  must be based on merit adding that tribalism, nepotism and favouritism should be avoided .

 

 

“Speaking, he said, “I wouldn’t want what happened in APMT to happen here where employment was tribalised, where employment was one-sided, it did not cut across all the regions and I wouldn’t want this one to be like that.

 

“It is affecting productivity because other tribes are complaining that are they not part of this country. I want to implore the management to look inward in engaging people, they should spread it round.

 

“If you spread it round, others too will support you but if you select only one tribe, it will affect the management. That is my advice on that.

 

Earlier, Comrade Adeyanju while welcoming the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lekki Port, Denrick Moos, he assured the terminal of the union’s support to achieve the aim of the terminal operators

 

He added that his administration as PG of MWUN will deal decisively with any member of the union working with the terminal, that contravens the laws of the organisation as well as that of the union.

 

His words, “I want to congratulate you on your new assignment, you are not new in the industry, many may not know you but we know that you have digitized containerized cargoes in Nigeria.

 

“I am here today with the executives to give you support you to achieve success in your new assignment in the new port where the whole world is focused to see what is going to happen and you have also put the terminal operators in their toes

 

“The union will not allow any of our members to work contrary to the regulations of the organisation and that of the union

 

Responding, the CEO,  Lekki Free Port Terminals, Mr. Denrick Moos quipped that the organisation operated open door policy and ready to take complaints from the union.

 

Moos also sought support of the union to make the port a commercially viable one.

 

Moos said, “As a new terminal, we respect all stakeholders, we have an open door policy, we are here to work with you and whenever there is need to come and talk to us, feel free.

 

“We are seeking your support to make the port a commercially viable port

 

“We are in competition but it is not our intention to be in competition with anybody because the market is big enough for everybody, there is enough containers for everybody. The containers in Nigeria, our own is to help Nigeria’s economy.”