Members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Dockworkers branch at Tin Can Island Port Lagos have assured stakeholders in the maritime industry that issues bothering on industrial unrest will not arise ahead of the union’s forthcoming election.
The nation’s seaports had witnessed some level of panic and apprehension during MWUN past elections with the exception of the incumbent President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who was elected four years.
It was gathered that the election is expected to hold in March 2021.
Recall that former President General of the union , Comrade Emmanuel Tony Noted had advised the current executives to ensure industrial peace during the electioneering process.
Dockworkers under Tin Can Island Port District 1 and the six units gave the assurance on Wednesday, while speaking with our correspondent against the backdrop of the forthcoming union election in March.
Chairman in charge of District 1, Tin Can Island Port , Comrade Sharafadeen Oguntoyinbo told our correspondent in Lagos that past elections have witnessed some levels of crisis which in turn disrupt port operations but assured that 2021 elections would be peaceful.
Oguntoyibo noted that Tin Can Island Port in time past had recorded pockets of violence during electioneering process but added that maritime operations will not be hampered due to mechanism put in place by the present leadership of the union in collaboration with the district and units.
“You will agree with me that during this period of elections in time past there use to be some level of anxiety, panic and distraction because of interest.
“But since the election that brought in the present President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, there has been peace in all the seaports and that is what we all have agreed to sustain.
“We the grassroot Dockworkers we have agreed upon ourselves to ensure that peace and harmony reign in the system and that is why we all agreed to protect the port from any form of unrest.
“The seaports are the gateway to the nation’s economy therefore we must not encourage any form of violence during elections as it were in the past.
“Tin Can Island Port used to be the hotbed of violence and distraction of operational activities whenever it is time for elections and that is why we are commending Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, leadership qualities for the peace and tranquility that has existed in the last four years in office to continue.
The dockworker reiterated that the maritime union will continue to ensure industrial peace and tranquility despite the election for the overall interest of the economy.
“Comrade Adeyanju is a father to most of us here and we must support him to ensure that there is no distraction as the election draws nearer.”
The units chairmen will share their experiences in the last four years as regards the welfare packages put in place.
A cross section of the unit chairmen who spoke to our correspondent also reaffirmed that issues of hooliganism and violence during electioneering was a thing of the pass and the union has rebranded its modus operandi for the betterment and welfare of the workers under the current dispensation.
Unit Chairman JosepDam Port Service, District 1, Tin Can Island Port , Dockworkers Branch, MWUN, Comrade Waidi Lateef, affirmed that the President General of the union deserve a second term in office saying, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju is a grassroot docker who understands what welfarism is all about.
“Welfare packages has improved , we don’t know what they call letter of appointment all life as a dockworker . I have spent over three decades in the dock labour profession without anything letter of employment but things changed under Comrade Adewale Adeyanju so therefore we need him again.”
He described the incumbent as core labour unit who has take Nigerian maritime dock labour to international level.
On his part, Unit Chairman, New Cargo ,District 1, Tin Can Island Port , Dockworkers Branch, MWUN,Comrade Lamidi Akano, maintained that lives of an average dockworker has been impacted positively courtesy the welfare structure put in place by the incumbent President General of the union and his management team
Similarly, Unit Chairman ,TSE , District 1, Tin Can Island Port , Dockworkers Branch, MWUN, Comrade Morufu Ogbara noted that peace will continue to reign in the maritime since the welfare of workers are paramount saying the current national executives of the union deserve to be re-elected.
Continuing, Unit Chairman Pakarika , District 1, Tin Can Island Port , Dockworkers Branch, MWUN , Comrade Philip Oluremi Oguntoye prayed for good health for the executives ,passing a vote of confidence for the reelection of the current executives, and branch president of the Union .
By Roland Ekama
