… solicits Stakeholders Support
… as ITF indicates key support, runs 15 months affiliate support project in Nigeria
… as MWUN reads Riot act on drug peddling
The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade (Prince) Adeyanju Adewale, has called for the support of all maritime stakeholders; the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administrative and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Nigeria Inland Waterways (NIWA), Stevedores, shipping companies and well-meaning stakeholders to support the union’s goal to have a maritime seafarers centre in Nigeria.
Adewale called for the support on Monday during the MWUN’s National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting at the Festival Hotel Awuwo Odofin, Lagos, stating that the centre will be the first in West Africa.
He disclosed that the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) was already in the concluding part of approving support for the proposed centre.
“I also must put on record that ITF is in the concluding part of approving our request for their support to put a befitting Maritime Seafarers Centre, which can be utilised by both local and international seafarers; and to be situated around Lekki Free Deep Port environs,” he said.
The President General also used the occasion to appreciate and applaud the ITF for their continued support of the development and welfare of the dock workers and seafarers in Nigeria, recounting its positive impact on the country.
He said: “Currently there is an ongoing ITF Maritime Affiliate Support (Africa) Project for Nigeria seafarers.
“The project which has run in Nigeria for the past 15 months has impacted meaningfully to improving Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) coverage in Nigeria and influenced an increase in the number of CBA(s) being signed yearly.
“It has also helped to improve and create employment opportunities for seafarers at both local and international level.
“We seize this opportunity to again solicit the cooperation of stakeholders to ensure the success of the project in Nigeria.”
Continuing, Adewale further highlighted the achievements of the current NEC to include a recent Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between MWUN and a property developer – Ideation Nigeria Limited, to develop a landed property to a modern estate of flats and terrace apartments.
“I am happy to announce that construction work has since commenced on the land,” he said.
He acknowledged and appreciated the enormous support of the managing director of NPA, Alhaji Mohammed Bello-Koko, for his workers friendly posture and gracious approval of MWUN’s request for the ongoing building of its National Secretariat at 121, Osho Drive, Olodi – Apapa, Lagos, transforming it into a modern office edifice.
The MWUN President General also cashed in on the occasion to read a riot act to the members on drug peddling.
He noted that illicit drug peddling has now become a serious social problem and that the union has sensitised its members on the danger of allowing themselves to be used as channels to perpetrate the peddling of illicit drugs at the ports.
According to him, MWUN went further to hold several strategic meetings with officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Consequently, the union will not take it kindly to any of its members found engaging in the peddling of illicit drugs.
“Thus, the MWUN has directed that any member found liable will cease to be a member of the union,” Adewale stated.