Maritime
MWUN, NLC Picket Murphy Shipping
The Shipping and Courier Branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in conjunction with the Nigerian Labour Congress, Rivers State Council has picketed the premises of Murphy Shipping and Commercial Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, over what it described as violation of labour laws and injustice meted out to workers.
The protesters who barricaded the gate of the company for about seven days, with placards and with the support of the affiliate unions of NLC, Rivers State Council, is demanding for the re-instatement of their sacked members and negotiation of the condition of service for the workers.
Some of the placards displayed have the inscription like picketing-in-action-NLC R/S, Gormma Okenedo Bye-Bye from Murphy Shipping, we stand for justice, since 2009 no mutual negotiations, we say no, it must be concluded.
Addressing the angry striking workers at the scene of the action, the Port Harcourt District Chairman, Shipping / Courier branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Ikenna Ajoku, commended the NLC affiliate unions for what he called “highest solidarity to workers in Murphy Shipping who had suffered abuses, harassment, intimidation and sack offers, which he said, violated the basic Nigerian Labour Laws.
Standing on the motto, injury to one, injury to all, the NLC has to mobilise members to picket the company until the injustice is addressed, Comrade Ajoku noted, lamenting that, two of their MWUN members, Comrade Nnamdi Chuku and Comrade Goodthing Thompson (vice chairman) were summarily dismissed by Murphy Shipping in a letter signed by the Managing Director, Ojulape Osinaike without any reason.
According to him, “Our grievances and demands are hinged on pressing issue which include, conclusion of negotiation of workers condition of service with MWUN, reinstatement of their sacked workers and re-deployment of Comrade Johnson Ogoji one of the affected staff or place him on redundancy and pay him all his entitlements in compliance with the Nigeria Joint Industrial Council Standards, after working for 17 years.
Some of the sack victims who spoke to The Tide expressed their gratitude over the intervention of the union to address the injustice in the firm, while a mechanic dept staff, Amusa Shehu lamented over workers deepening economic conditions of service and called on the company to respond to the demands of the union.
In his remark, the Murphy Shipping Unit chairman, MWUN, Morgan Reward, said the picketing action was the only weapon that can compel the company to treat workers with human face, urging them to conclude negotiation on workers’ welfare package also re-instate sacked workers. Effort to speak to the Admin and Safety manager failed as the gate was picketed.
Meanwhile, The Tide gathered that negotiation is on top gear to resolve the impasse.
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.
