MWUN Issues Fourteen Day Ultimatum For Dockworker Executives To Flush Out Wharf Rats

By Roland Ekama, Lagos

Worried about cargo vandalization at the nation’s seaports , the President General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju has issued a  fourteen day ultimatum to all district and unit executives  of the dockworkers branch , to flush  out unregistered labour workers at the terminals.

Adeyanju who gave the directive on Wednesday, while briefing members of the branch on Wednesday in Lagos , frowned at the frequently reported cases of cargo vandalization at the ports ,adding that the Union has what it takes to flush  bad eggs out of port operations.

According to him , the MWUN has gone beyond the stage of being dragged into the mud ,pointing out that the leadership under his watch would not allow or accept  any form of illegalities , especially as it affects pilfering of cargoes at the ports.

While speaking, he stated that the illegal dockworkers who infiltrate the port was in connivance with some bad elements who are not satisfied with their salaries.

“Enough of spoiling the name of dock workers and if they are spoiling our names, let all of us stand up and makes sure that we flush them out.

“That is the directive I am giving to the President of dockworkers and I am giving you fourteen days ultimatum to make sure that all the district and units flush out port rats among them.

He stated further that any officer found culpable of harbouring any illegal dock worker in the terminal would be expelled from the port even as he quipped that the executives could not absolve themselves from connivance with the camp boys who carry out the pilfering.

“What is happening in the port now if all of you are reading papers, or on social media, should not drag dockworkers into problems.  

“I am directing the dockworkers President to make sure that all the district and unit executives should stand and do their jobs as at when due.

“You dockworkers cannot tell me you don’t know yourselves. The name they give all of us if anything bad happens in the port is not good but if good things are coming, they will not mention our names.

“It is some of us that are conniving with those kelebe (camp boys) because you believe your salaries are not enough for you that is why you bring an outsider to connive and steal in the port.

“I am giving final warning to all the district and unit executives, anybody that is not a dock worker and you parade such person as worker in the terminal and they report you, you will be  expelled from the port.

“They should not destroy this union because it has come to stay and they should not give us names that are not ours,” he warned.