MWUN Suspends 21- Day Ultimatum Against Shipping Companies Over FG’s Intervention

Barring any last minute change due to federal government intervention, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has suspended the 21-day ultimatum issued to shipping companies over negligence and gridlock along the Lagos ports corridor.

A statement signed by the union’ s President General Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and Secretary General Comrade. Felix S. Akingboye respectively , noted that the Intervention by the Ministries of Transportation and that of Works and Housing led to the suspension of the notice.

The union also urged the federal government to call the multinationals to order as part of efforts to yield to their demands in tackling the perennial gridlock that has bedevilled the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway over the years.

The MWUN reiterated that seven shipping lines are allegedly responsible for the perennial gridlock along the port corridors.

According to the statement” The Shipping Companies mentioned as responsible for the gridlock include Maersk Line, PIL, MSC, MOL/ONE (Ocean Network Express) COSCO, CMA-CGM and Alraine Nig. Ltd.

The statement also disclosed that the outcome of the meeting between the union , shipping companies and government representatives yielded positive results but stressed the need for an elaborate inclusion and representation of some key stakeholders like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and the terminal operators.

The statement reads” Recall that a 21 day notice was issued to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministries of Transportation, and Works and Housing to call to order some Shipping Companies allegedly responsible for the perennial gridlock that has be-devilled the Oshodi-Apapa Express way over the years.

“We are delighted to say that on Wednesday, 11th November, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing represented by Engineer A.O. Oye, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos met with the Union and the representatives of the alledged Shipping Companies at its Tafawa Balewa, Lagos office to discuss and proffer solution(s) to the intractable gridlock on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

“The meeting was cordial and fruitful but noted the need to expand same to include the representation of some key stake holders like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and the Terminal Operators.

“Consequently, the meeting was adjourned and the Controller of Works & Housing, Engineer A.O. Oye gave assurance of the presence of the representatives of the above-mentioned organisations/Agencies at the next meeting which shall come up not later than the middle of December, 2020.”

“The Union has inconsideration of the foregoing suspended the 21 days Notice issued to the Government.

By Roland Ekama