The Maritme Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of its President -General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has decried thefts at the quay aprons of the sea ports in Lagos.
Recently an incident of theft occurred on board Vessel MV ZY JU HE in EKO Support, approximately 0400hrs (4.00am) of Sunday.
The information reaching the Union indicates that five tins of paint from the AFT store of the said Vessel were removed including a crew member mobile phone.
However, it was clearly observed that the unknown perpetrators didn’t access the vessel with the aid of ladder; and that the lightens surrounding the paint store wasn’t bright enough; hence, visibility was poor and that may have aided the miscreants to perpetuate their crime.
The safety men on board the said vessel promptly raised alarm, but that effort wasn’t audible enough, even with the blasts of their whistles. Although, every item stolen from the vessel were thrown into the sea, while the perpetrators jumped overboard and escaped with a speed boat when the vessel alarm was activated.
The PG of MWUN, Comrade Bunu, when contacted on the issue was in a furious state and said that the security at the Ports quay aprons have become porous that thieves now easily access vessels and cart away items belonging to crew members and vessel maintenance materials such as paints and other valuable materials with such ease.
The Maritme Labour Activist and Expert is however, making a passionate plea to all the security agencies within the sea ports across the country to be more vigilant in their duties of protecting lives and property, and by making sure that the Ports premises and quay aprons are adequately safe for day to day running of businesses.
He also called on the Police Force, the Nigerian Navy to be more vigilant and committed in this regard so that our sea ports will not be branded “unsafe” for business at all times as expected.
