Maritime workers to commence nationwide strike July 3

Following the expiration of the 14-days ultimatum, issued by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) June 13 over non-payment of stevedoring contractors, the union has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 3.

According to the President-General of MWUN, Mr Abdul-Waheed Adeyanju, in a statement issued to Journalist, he disclosed that the leadership of the union has ordered its members to withdraw services throughout the nation’s seaports effective from 06.00 hours on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Adeyamju said the order became imperative due to failure on the part of International Oil Companies (IOCs) to address the issue despite giving a two-week ultimatum.

Recall that the union had given a two-week ultimatum on June 13, calling on the Federal Government to prevail on IOCs to pay government-appointed stevedoring contractor monies being owed.

Adeyanju had urged the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport to look into the issue so that dockworkers could be paid their salaries and wages.

He said that failure to pay government-appointed stevedoring contractors for jobs done had made it impossible for their workers to be paid salaries, a situation which has led to the untimely death of some of its members.

MWUN President explained that in line with Section 27 of NIMASA Act, 2007, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had on June 1, 2018, appointed stevedoring contractors to provide stevedoring services at various off-shore jetties and on-shore locations to the International Oil Companies and other operators.

He disclosed that the IOCs have refused to comply with NPA’s directive one year after the stevedoring contractors were appointed, wondering why they have turned down every effort to make them cooperate with the newly-appointed stevedoring contractors since the modus operandi remained the same.

“Dear stakeholders, we want to use this medium to intimate you and the Federal Government of the non-payment of the stevedoring wages to dockworkers by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria.

“On June 1, 2018, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) appointed stevedoring contractors to provide stevedoring services at various off-shore jetties and on-shore locations to the International Oil Companies and other operators.

“It will be necessary to inform you that NPA had held several meetings with these operators to grant access to the government-appointed stevedoring contractors, process their invoices, and effect payment,’’ Adeyanju said.

“We commend the managing director and management of NPA for the efforts they had made to compel the IOCs to engage the services of appointed stevedores and registered dockworkers in their stevedoring operations.

“A stakeholders’ meeting was held on February 28, 2018 organised by NPA in Lagos to sensitise IOCs, jetty owners, and terminal owners,’’ Adeyanju said.

The NPA management had made it clear that in line with Section 27 OF NIMASA Act, 2007 only government-appointed stevedores and registered dockworkers are empowered by law to solely handle, discharge and embark on loading operations at the ports, jetties and oil platforms.

Adeyanju wondered why the IOCs refused to cooperate with the newly-appointed stevedoring contractors since the modus operandi remained the same.

The union boss said that while dockworkers were awaiting the payment of their wages, they could no longer meet their family obligations like payment of house rents, children’s school fees and hospital bills, among others.

Adeyanju said, “We can no longer continue to watch our members die prematurely because of the attitude of the IOCs.’’