Maritime
Shippers Council Cautions MWUN On Planned Strike
The leadership of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has appealed to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to shelve their proposed indefinite nationwide strike scheduled for 1st March, 2022 across all the nation’s seaports.
Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, disclosed this in Lagos during a meeting with the President General of MWUN, Mr Adewale Adeyanju.
Recall that MWUN had issued a 14-day strike notice to the Federal Government over the refusal of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to allow stevedoring companies access to their platforms to begin operations.
“Any disruption at the port can affect in a very tragic way the economy of the country.
“The conversation is about the notice to down tools, and we as a port economic regulator should ensure that there are little or no disruptions to operations at the port.
“We have to show concern when there is disagreement that has risen to a level to cause disruption, especially in the maritime space.
“We are also disappointed about the state of affairs that has led to this situation of giving the notice which has been recurring as far back as 2014 with regards to engagement of stevedoring companies.
“We are disappointed that what has come to stay as a policy is being abused and we will not stand by and see the policy, which will benefit the Nigerian people and assist in operations, is not obeyed,” he said.
Jime appreciated the union for staying off strike when the Minister of Transportation intervened earlier, noting that this showed that the union was disposed to listening.
“Obviously, it has gotten to a point whereby you believe that nothing else can be done and the only option being a strike, this can mean that you have probably exhausted every avenue.
“I plead with you to tarry a while just like you have done in the past to give negotiation a chance. This time with shippers’ council playing a midwife, because I will be meeting with the Minister on this issue.
“I assure you that the council is ready to work with you to resolve this issue. In enforcing policy, I suggest that for IOCs that are not compliant, you can picket that IOC to send the right signal,” he said.
Earlier, President General, MWUN, had said as a responsible union, they do not back-out anyhow, but follow due process and would not do anything funny.
He said they believed in sincerity of purpose to come from employers of labour, and believed in working closely with each other to achieve objectives.
Adeyanju noted that the law of the country must be respected concerning stevedoring contract, and berated the IOCs for not doing so.
“We have been given a mandate that the strike must commence and that is what is before you.
“The strike is imminent and it is way of telling the world that the IOCs are not bigger than this country,” he said.
Adeyanju wondered why the IOCs were running away from their responsibility and preventing the stevedoring contractors from coming in.
“If they are not hiding anything, why won’t they obey the instructions of the Minister of Transportation? So, by next week, which is very close, we are not shifting ground on this issue.
“We cannot do such in their countries, so they must respect our laws,” Adewale said.
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.