Maritime Workers’ Union calls for urgent action on Apapa-Oshodi gridlock, port infrastructure decay
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has urged the Federal Government to address the persistent challenges of the Apapa-Oshodi gridlock and deteriorating port access roads.
At the inaugural ‘Day of the Dockworkers’ event in Lagos, President-General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju emphasised the dangers posed by dilapidated infrastructure at the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports, along with the aging condition of the Port Harcourt port.
“It is instructive to note that the environment we operate in has posed dangers to our lives. For instance, the quay aprons at the Apapa port complex are dilapidated and the Tin Can Island Ports Complex has collapsed due to long use, while Port Harcourt port is aged and decrepit,” he said.
Adeyanju highlighted the broad impact of the gridlock on maritime industry activities, affecting vehicular, cargo, and human movement within and outside the ports.
He called on the government to implement lasting solutions to alleviate the gridlock and expedite the rehabilitation of port access roads nationwide, particularly emphasising the decay of the Onne Port access road.
“On the Port access road, the gridlock has affected various aspects of the Maritime industry’s activities with wide-ranging negative impacts on both vehicular, cargo and human movement within and outside the ports. We call on the government to find a lasting solution to the gridlock menace.
“Also, we wish to call on the relevant authorities to expedite action in rehabilitating and finding lasting solutions to the bad state of port access roads in all port formations nationwide. Special note should be taken of the Onne Port access road which is in a state of decay,” he said.
Additionally, the union reiterated its appeal to the Federal Government to revive the pool system of tally clerks and onboard gangway security personnel, stressing their crucial roles in enhancing port operations, security, and overall economic growth.
“On the other side, we wish to remind the Federal Government of the need to resuscitate the pool system of Tally clerks and onboard gangway security men because of the importance to port operations, security and overall economic growth and safety of the country,” he said.
During the event, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by dockworkers, urging employers to establish a Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for dockworkers and ensure timely remittances of both employers’ and employees’ contributions each month.
“As employers of labour, you must endeavour to put in place a CPS for dockworkers and ensure prompt remittances of both employers’ and employees’ contributions at the end of each month,” said Jamoh.
The theme of the event, ‘Healthy Dockworker, Better Productivity,’ underscored the importance of addressing the working conditions and well-being of dockworkers for improved productivity in the maritime sector.
