Members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have called off its threat to shut down the nation’s seaports over an alleged refusal by the federal governmen to repair the failed portions of the roads leading to the ports in Apapa and Tin-Can, both in Lagos.
Executive members of the union had issued a seven day ultimatum to government failure of which would result in a mass industrial action.
In the ultimatum, the union had called for the removal of all abandoned trucks on the Oshodi-Apapa Road, which leads to the Apapa and Tin-Can Ports. It also demanded that roads to the seaports be motorable.
The planned indefinitely industrial action was billed to commence on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
The union said it regretted the depreciation of business activities at the ports, stressing that as a major stakeholder, it found the situation unacceptable.
“We are afraid that if things continue like this, it would lead to the retrenchment of workers and we cannot afford to lose any of our members to joblessness.”
It, therefore, declared: “If by Monday, February 5, 2018, the trucks are not removed and the craters and potholes filled, the union will withdraw all its members from ports nationwide.”
But, speaking to Journalists, the President -General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju said the union has relaxed the ultimatum to shut the port since the federal government has intervened.
Adeyanju said the government has called for an enlarged meeting with other industry stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the dilapidated port roads.
He said, “The federal government has contacted us. They’re yet to send letter to us but the meeting is to involves all the stakeholders in the maritime sector, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Labour, Power Works and Housing.
