Merchant Navy Union Seeks LAWMA Marine Unit Collaboration To Safeguard Inland Waters

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has confirmed a strategic working relationship with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in furtherance to safeguard the inland waterways from refuse and dirt.

The seafarers union expressed worries over the alarming high volume of the waste products in the state waterways and will seek a close working collaboration with the Marine unit of the waste management authority.

Speaking over the weekend , President of the union, Comrade Bob Yousuo , stated that the move was aimed at creating job opportunities for members of the union and to sustain cleaner inland waters.

Yousou who spoke through the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress affiliate Union, Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue, said the move to partner personnel from the authority, was aimed provide to provide job opportunities for members of the union.

He said the creeks and lagoons are highly affected with refuse and dirt from the canals across the state , thus must be taken care of from a professional standpoint.

Some members of union with first cadetship would benefit from the synergy in terms of job opportunities with the state owned Waste Management Authority.

According to him, members of the union engaged would help safeguard inland waterways from refuse from a professional seafarers point of view

“We are partially working out modalities with LASWA Marine Unit to clear the waterways from dirt.

“We are working on how to collaborate with them so that people will understand that the waterways must be clean and free from dirt because there is need sensitize the citizens about the importance of the waterways irrespective of the size.

“Aquatic lives is important to the ecosystem and mankind is no exception, hence the need to work closely with the State Authority.

The President however added that the move to work closely with LAWMA, Marine unit has no connection with the ongoing court injunction between National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

By Roland Ekama