Maritime workers chide government on poor handling of maritime affairs

By: Frank David
From: Warri


Chairman of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Goodlife Okoro has expressed disappointment over government’s poor handling of maritime workers’ affairs in the state, just as he added that government has not redeemed the pledge of 57 boats promised the union by the immediate past commissioner for transport.
Comrade Okoro expressed his displeasure when members of the state chapter of MWUN, paid the Commissioner for Transport, Chief Lawrence Oshiegbu, a courtesy visit in Asaba

While expressing regret that the Union enjoys profound recognition and co-operation of government in states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, Comrade Okoro wondered why the state chapter of the union does not enjoy the recognition and cooperation of the Delta State government on maritime matters.
He therefore demanded the State government to recognize the vital role of MWUN in the state as being done in other states and work in cooperation with the Union in all Maritime activities, adding that the union played a significant role during the Warri crisis as it was there faring most trapped people in the riverine areas to safety environment with the few boats available to them.

He warned that the law will soon catch up with both local and foreign marine transporters and related agencies who are evading maritime/labour laws, emphasizing that MWUN may be forced to embark on industrial action against both government and private operators not willing to conform to international standards.
Comrade Okoro challenged private craft operators still working against unionization in the establishment to desist forthwith and allow their workers to form unions, saying that MWUN will not relent in its determination to reposition Maritime transportation to meet with the standard operational in other areas.

In his response, the Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Chief Lawrence Oshiegbu, promised members of the union that the Delta State government is going to assist them for strategic and enhanced operations in the state, even as he assured them that the State government has declared her resolve to capitalize on the existing peace in the waterways to boost water transportation in the state.
Chief Oshiegbu said that the State government has plans to take advantage of the relative peace in the waterways to improve on this all important but neglected sector and impact on the lives of Deltans, adding that importance of marine transportation cannot be over emphasized.

He revealed that it was in line with government determination to improve on the sector that gave birth to the establishment of the School of Marine Technology in Burutu for the training of seafarers.
On the issue of loan raised by the leadership of MWUN, he promised to introduce them to Office of the Executive Assistant to the Governor in-charge of micro credit and assured them that all the issues raised would be keenly addressed.