By John Kennedy Ikemefuna
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, the President-General of the Union in company of his national executives were in Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Thursday this week to pay the Director-General of the Agency and his executives a visit to discuss issues bothering on the Union’s biometric identification cards for the Dockworkers and Seafararers branches of the Union bonafide members, who are legitimately working in the sector across all the seaports of the country.
Comrade Bunu said the biometric registration and identitification of all individuals Union bonafide members employed by various employers of labour in the Maritime industry will definitely separate the legitimately employed Dockworkers and Seafararers from the illegal ones parading themselves and functioning as “Dockworkers and Seafararers” simultaneously as members of the Union, which does not portray MWUN in any good light.
In view of that, the seasoned sailor and maritime expert, Comrade Bunu explained to the DG of NIMASA the importance of the biometric identification cards for the two branches of the Union, saying that for proper documentation of the Union’s registered Dockworkers and Seafararers working in the seaports should be identified from the quacks as this measure will guarantee the ports some sort of safety, theft and pilfering of goods and consignments of owners, exporters and importers, which be an impedement to a good business ports environment.
The Delta State born labour leader of MWUN also promised Dr. Dayo Mobereola of NIMASA of the Union’s usual maximum support and cooperation as it were, citing the longtime collaboration between the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and Maritime Workers Union on the need to build a Seafararers Recreation Center in Apapa choice location for the betterment of Seafararers each time, the sailors arrive ashore from sea; for Sailors need quality life on land for recreation, which is an integral part of life. It will not only serve the Union members but as well the general public who may choose center, which of course would generate economic dividend for the Union.
Dr. Mobereola in his response assured the PG of the Union NIMASA’s commitment towards the project which was struck with his predecessor; and promised that his administration will ensure that its quota to the laudable project will be honored as agreed on paper.
He thanked the Union for the purposeful visit while, congratulating Comrade Bunu for his landslide election victory; and hope to continue to witness a flourishing synergy between both significant bodies in the Maritime sector of Nigeria
