The Maritime Workers’Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has assured the newly unionized members of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) that it will prioritize welfare of the workers for optimal performance towards the development of the agency .
CRFFN is one of the government agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy ,which was carved out from Transportation.
Speaking at swearing in ceremony, President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju on Friday,while inaugurating staff of the Council Unit under the Shipping Branch, assured the a district will be established in three months in furtherance to spreading membership under the Branch.
Comrade Adeyanju urged the Acting Registrar of CRFFN, Mrs Chinyere Uromta to see the unionisation of the Council’s staff as an opportunity for the agency to grow assuring them of the union protection as well as welfare of the workers .
“The joining of the CRFFN staff into the union is going to boost the arrangement of working together with the Acting Registrar, whatever issues affecting that agency, we would support her to grow better.
“For us in the Maritime Workers Union, we are expanding our scope, it is because we are good, that is why everyone wants to align with us, we have transformed ourselves to a standard that we can compare ourselves to any other persons all over the world.
“I want to urge the new executives of CRFFN, do not be in hurry, take time to study our activities, our constitution and study the way and manner we engage our management, because the era of banging tables and causing obstruction in the port is no longer our practice, and I want you to align yourselves with the principles and ideology binding us all together.
“For us in the MWUN, we are scientific union leaders and we don’t make trouble, this is where our power is coming from” he said
Comrade Adeyanju subsequently granted the new CRFFN unit a new status to become a District of the union after three months. According to the union leader, this is the first time he would be breaking such protocol for anyone.
He urged the executives of the Shipping Branch to see the CRFFN staff as the new baby of the union.
“There is need for you to tap from their experiences, the Primary responsibility of any union leader is to protect the welfare of his members and management.
They must also learn from us, because the way we are handling our CBA might be different from the way they are handling their own, we must all work together so that we don’t make mistakes” he said
The Acting Registrar of CRFFN, Mrs Chinyere Uromta, represented by Mrs Ifezue Elizabeth, Principal Administration Officer of CRFFN, commended the leadership of MWUN for their dedication and commitment to ensuring smooth operation of Nigerian Ports and Waterways.
“I pledge to work tirelessly to support and advocate for the right and wellbeing of all members of the Union. Together we will strive to create a more efficient and productive maritime industry that benefits not only our members but the entire nation.
“I call upon all members of the Union to stand united in our effort to improve working conditions and abide by the rules and regulation of our different organization and agencies and to promote safety and enhance the professional development of our workforce.
“By working together in solidarity, we can achieve great things for the Maritime Industry and for our own beloved country. I am confident that with our support and collaboration we will overcome any challenges that may come our way and pave the way for a brighter future for the Maritime sector in Nigeria” she said
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, President of Shipping Clearing and Forwarding Branch of MWUN, Comrade Ekpeyong Ekpeyong said the CRFFN workers have traced their way back to their Roots which is the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN)
He said the Union’s leadership has also carefully looked at it and placed them under the Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Branch, where they are expected to thrive.
He added that MWUN stands to benefit from the CRFFN unit, and their members are delighted to work with the Union.
On his part, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated CRFFN unit of MWUN, Comrade Nwachukwu Okechukwu Noah appreciated the MWUN President General for being a true leader and that he has demonstrated that he is a father.
While commending members of the union for their commitment, Okechukwu in his remarks noted that the newly inaugurated CRFFN staff trooped into Lagos from far away Idiroko, Seme Border as well other distant locations.
He further commended the PG of MWUN saying,“He is a workaholic who has been working tirelessly for the betterment of the maritime industry.
“The way you have welcomed us, we feel at home, we knew where we are coming from, if they had welcomed us better there, probably we won’t be here today. With the emergence of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we felt that this is where we ought to be.
“Two major things we have in might coming here is; better welfare for our members and development of our agency. I have seen your good works in the industry and we believe in your capacity that you can help us” he said.
