*As workers tackle Oyetola for lack of performance, over failed infrastructure
*Maritime sector too technical for non-player to handle – MWUN President
By KEMI KASUMU
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has again tackled the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy , Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to prioritize the rehabilitation of quay aprons and jetties across the nation’s seaports, saying that workers safety is paramount while working aboard vessels and the port terminals.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who stated this in his New Year message, according to Daily Focus Nigeria, lamented that the union would not fold its arms and watch dockworkers face high risk in their line of duty.
He, who noted that MWUN had raised the alarm earlier without positive response from Oyetola, said despite creation of Ministry of Marime and Blue Economy by President Bola Tinubu, all is not well with the maritime industry.
The union leader further urged the Minister to visit the failed facilities for first hand information, noting that Five Star Logistics Terminal and that of Onne Port are in entrapping position begging for attention.
Aside the dilapidated quays, Adeyanju re-echoed that some jetties situated at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Lagos are begging for repairs, adding that some of the failed facilities impede port efficiency.
Adewale Adeyanju, who is also Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reiterated that workers deserved a conducive working environment at the port terminals, stressing that all was not well with the maritime industry despite the creation of Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the Tinubu led administration, the report said.
Adeyanju affirmed the the Minister has a whole lot to fix in line with maritime operations, stressing the need for him to tour the eastern ports and further revisit the Lagos ports to proffer lasting solutions to decayed infrastructure within and around the nation’s ports communities.
He further decried the poor state of roads linking the port Harcourt seaports calling on the Minister to champion a close working relationship with the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi.
While welcoming the idea for the creation of the new ministry by the President Bola Tinubu, Adeyanju described the Oyetola led ministry as lacking proactive steps in tackling challenges affecting the industry, even as he maintained that the maritime sector is highly technical for the non-player to handle.
On his expectations for the coming year, the Union’s President General professed a prosperous 2024 with a view for the government to hard tirelessly in furtherance to stabilize the naira against other foreign currencies, pointing out that Nigeria has the potentials to drive Africa economies.
“We can only be prayerful because we have what it takes to make this country great. And not only Nigeria but Africa as a continent.
“The new ministry has what it takes to generate more money for the government than oil and gas, the ministry has a vibrant sector which is maritime but we truly want a vibrant team that will drive the economy because we can only achieve little with what we have on ground.
“The pace the new ministry is working is not encouraging but whichever way, the union will continue to support and encourage the government to succeed”, Adeyanju maintained.
He also expressed optimism that the economy will bounce back from the unfavourable balance of trade, adding that expectation for 2024 should focus on a robust economy and job creation.
He also commended members of the union for their unflinching support for the numerous achievements recorded under his (union) leadership .
Recall that former Minister of Transportation, Mallam Mu’Azu Sambo, had assured the rehabilitation of some of the failed terminals before the expiration of the last administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
