Maritime workers suspend strike at Lagos port terminal — after two days

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has suspended the shut down of activities at the APM Terminals, Apapa.

The union had halted activities at the terminal on Thursday over an alleged breach of local content laws by management.

Adewale Adeyanju, president-general of MWUN, announced the suspension during a working visit to Hassan Bello, executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), on Friday.

MWUN embarked on the strike over non-compliance of international oil companies (IOCs) to the stevedoring regulations issued by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Following the meeting with Bello, Adeyanju said for over 16 years, MWUN has never shut down or issue any ultimatum on the terminal.

He alleged that the terminal collapsed the security department and brought in expatriates from some West African countries to takeover the jobs meant for Nigerians.

“The management is trying to bring in workers from Cotonou and Ghana to take over the job Nigerians have been trained for,” he said.

“The terminal workers in APMT are the best workers anyone can think of and what they are doing now is to bring in Beninoise to take over the jobs all in the name of expatriates.”

“We said no, if this company can collapse a department, they might equally extend it to other departments having it in mind to replace all Nigerians with foreigners.”

Despite the suspension, he assured that MWUN would soon engage other terminal operators who are bent on disrespecting Nigerian laws.

“What we have done at APMT for almost two days is part one, part two is coming.

“Part two will be between me, the union and the erring terminal operators, who are bent on disrespecting the laws of this land. We only used APMT as a scapegoat for others to learn.”

Adeyanju further called on the federal government to look inwards by beaming its searchlight on foreigners and their work permit expiration date, noting that, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and other agencies on foreign affairs should work round the clock to put the expatriates in check.

In his remarks, Bello lauded MWUN’s effort for the scientific approach in the industrial action against APMT.

He said that NSC and the union would work assiduously to sustain the peace and harmony that have existed in port operations.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had suspended cargo operations at the terminal following the shut down by maritime workers on Thursday.