By Roland Ekama
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Friday, temporarily suspended port operations at Tin Can Island Port Complex over the gruesome attack of a member.
MWUN also issued a strong warning to the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), to put its house in order towards ensuring orderliness at the seaport.
Recall that hoodlums on Thursday, stormed the NPA Complex where the Tin Can Island Port Chapter Secretariat of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) is located.
The hoodlums numbering about 15, wielding dangerous weapons, stormed the venue of an ongoing maiden General meeting of the Western Zone and destroyed vehicles, canopies and other valuable properties of the association.
DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA , gathered that a member of the union, identified as Comrade Olawale Cole was gruesomely injured by the hoodlums in the attack , which similarly, triggered MWUN response to halt port operations on Friday.
Speaking to newsmen at the hospital, President General MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju reiterated that the union will not continue to fold its hands while members are being killed or miamed by thugs .
The President General MWUN, stated that dockworkers reaction to the attack of a member would have been a disaster at the port noting that it would be the last warning to those perpetrating evils at the seaports and its environs
Adeyanju affirmed that members of ANLCA must be call to order at this stage to forestall similar incidences at the ports, even as he called on CRFFN,NPA ,NSC and the Port Police Commissioner to wake up and secure the seaports effectively.
He lamented that the insecurity at the port if not properly managed could trigger unrest , thus hamper government revenue drive.
Adeyanju called on the past president of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu to engage members of ANLCA in resolving the crisis.
He maintained that CRFFN needs to be awake to its mandate of regulating freight forwarding practitioners at the port noting that the ugly situation of attacks on workers at the ports was becoming “one too many to address”.
The PG said :”The law permits freedom of association but I think the government should come in and intensify more efforts to see how they can regulate the activities of the freight forwarding agents ”
“NPA,Shippers Council, NIMASA Police should wake up to their responsibilities now because the union will react to any further attack on members.”
While recalling the recent killings of four members of the union by the Lagos State Park and Garden Committee, Adeyanju lamented that the barbaric act by the urchins may likely continue if not addressed for once.
While addressing workers of the union at the port terminal, President, Dockworkers Branch MWUN Comrade Ibrahim Tajudeen Ohize frowned at the porous security measures at the port urging the government to up the ante of safety of workers.
Ohize lamented that the crowd outside the ports need urgent attention towards control , adding that the union was not happy with the development.
Ohize said port operations was suspended to show solidarity against the backdrop of the ugly incident on his member.
Deputy Organising Secretary, MWUN ,Comrade Abudu Eroje accused members of ANLCA over Thursday ‘s attack on MWUN’s member and disruption of port operations.
He said port operations was suspended temporary to show solidarity for the member who was attacked by the hoodlums.
Eroje maintained that the hoodlums were armed with dangerous weapons and charms pointing out that the union frowned at the development.
He maintained that the terror unleashed on the member of MWUN will not be handled with kit gloves saying that the crowd outside the port can be used as an instrument to cause mayhem.
“We will not tolerate any attack on our member again by any group or association. If the government is not ready to protect then we will protect ourselves and the government should beef up security.
