...Describes Claims As Gutter Tactics
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has described the accusations from the Council of Maritime Truck Union and Associations (COMTUA) as laughable, even as it queried the possibility of a short distance of less than 1000 metres road to be man by members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) affiliate group along Tin Can Island Port corridor.
According to a statement signed by Comrade Felix S, Akingboye, Secretary General, MWUN , on Tuesday, the allegations from Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun contained too many lies adding that he has once again resorted to his gutter tactics of wantonly peddling falsehood.
Akingboye maintained that for the sake of clarity, MWUN confines its activities to areas clearly within its jurisdictional scope; one of which is haulage, ably superintended by one of its highly trained and respected union official — Com. Taofeek Shorinola.
The scribe further stated that the Union’ s well-trained members have not in any circumstance gone against the law as they ply their trade within the exclusive economic zone of the ports and cannot be found on the roads outside the port vicinity.
He recalled that MWUN and other reputable unions and associations were founding members of COMTUA but had to withdraw their membership because continually a faction of COMTUA led by Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun breached Memorandum of Understanding and resorted to blackmail and threats to members, security agents and government alike.
Akingboye further took a swipe at the President of COMTUA , saying that it is not surprising for him peddling falsehood as a tool of getting back at MWUN for withdrawing its membership from COMTUA.
“Short of libellous, Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun assertion that MWUN tolls 20 checkpoints from coconut Bus stop to Tin can island gate — a distance of about 1000 meters is a figment of his myopic imagination and a lie designed to malign our good image. Too many lies of Adeyinka Aroyewun.
“Ordinarily MWUN will not join issues with COMTUA, however, we are compelled by the manipulative and malicious lies put forth into public space by a clearly disgruntled and dis oriented Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun to issue this rebuttal.”
Targeting the personage of the President General and other union officials while alleging MWUN involvement in activities outside its jurisdictional scope and membership composition, the statement further affirmed that “Aroyewun even went to the extent of writing frivolous petitions against COMTUA members while inciting in fighting.
“We are not therefore, surprised that Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun has once again resorted to his gutter tactics of wantonly peddling falsehood as his means of getting back at MWUN for withdrawing its membership from COMTUA.
“MWUN is partner in growing our economy and ensuring peace in all our ports, terminals, jetties and oil and gas platforms which informs our unblemished decade long record of maintaining industrial peace in the Maritime sector. Our record is in the public space for all to see.
The Secretary General pointed out that MWUN is partner towards ensuring growth of the economy and ensuring peace in all the nation’s ports, terminals, jetties and oil and gas platforms which informed unblemished decade long record of maintaining industrial peace in the maritime sector.
“Com. (Prince) Dr. Adeyanju Adewale, President General, MWUN has over the years built a reputation based on probity and proper public service, he has contributed in no small measure to the growth, sustenance and development of the maritime sector.
“This can be attested to by the many myriads of accolades conferred on him by both government and other relevant stakeholders in the maritime industry: so, to drag his name into this frill is wicked and unfortunate.
“For the sake of clarity, MWUN confines its activities to areas clearly within its jurisdictional scope one of which is haulage, ably superintended by one of our highly trained and respected union official — Com. Taofeek Shorinola.
“Our well-trained members will and have not in any circumstance gone against the law as they ply their trade within the exclusive economic zone of the ports and cannot be found on the roads outside the port viccinity.
“This again is one of the many lies of Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun, concorted to tarnish and rubbish the well laid foundation of MWUN and should therefore be ignored.”
By Roland Ekama
