As part of measures to reduce open defecation along the port corridors linking the seaports in Lagos, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN and Nigerian Road Transport Owners NARTO have reaffirmed commitment to provide mobile toilets for truckers, specially as it affects drivers and motor boys operational activities.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who disclosed this in a chat on Monday expressed worries over the conditions of truck drivers operating within the haulage sub sector of the maritime industry, saying with the collaborative effort of both institutions the drivers welfare are of major concerns.
Expressing sadness on open defecation along Tin Can Island Port corridor of Apapa – Oshodi expressway, Adeyanju who doubles as the Deputy President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) reiterated that the amenities will give room for them to have a sense of belonging by way of inculcating a healthy and conducive working habit.
“These are the original plans when we formed COMTUA. We strongly believe in the welfare of the drivers because we know that these drivers can stay close to 30 days on the road therefore that is the reason we want to put some amenities in place for them.
“Our alliance with NARTO will do what is right for them to be comfortable because they are critical stakeholders in this industry.”
“The provision of mobile toilets along the port access road will give them a sense of belonging and that is why we are working closely with NARTO”.
Speaking further, the PG assured that good things will surely come for the drivers , even as he pointed out that prepare management of the alliance between the union and the Association would better the lots of truckers in the haulage sub sector of the maritime industry.
Continuing, he stated that”We are looking at how we can provide such amenities . Previously we had group life insurance for them and we are still reviewing on how we can improve on their welfare and manage it properly with befitting toilets and I can assure you that good things will surely come for the drivers.
According to him, the welfare for truckers which is not limited to provision of mobile toilets, plans are also ongoing to provide insurance cover for the drivers.
While commending, management of the Nigerian Shipper’s Council for the timely intervention of the MWUN’s threats to halt operations over anti labour activities by employers from the shipping companies in Nigeria, the President General noted that a committee has been set up to look into the matter noting meeting are held regularly to resolve the dispute.
The port corridor has been littered with human waste, short after the completion of the road construction. The human waste has posed serious health hazards for commuters
The open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal have affected the beautification of the highway by the construction firm contracted to add value on the corridor.
By Roland Ekama
