By John Kennedy Ikemefuna
The Nigerian Port’s Authority Manager (PM), Warri, on Monday this week with his executives, who was ably represented by the parastatal’s General Manager, Mrs. Stella Onyemeli Obiageli received the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, the President – General of the Union with his executives.
The Union’s leadership who were on a routine tour of the nation’s Port’s facility, Warri, in the Niger-Delta region of the country on their arrival, were satisfied with what it’s on ground, while interacting with the NPA workers on the need towards observing all safety rules, guidelines and regulations towards keeping safety standards a must within the Port’s premises, citing the incessant occurrences of accidents while at work amongst workers within the port. The Maritme foremost leader says the question of accidents at the port is no longer palatable at all to behold, hence, the trend must stop; given the fact that Warri Ports had so far recorded the highest number of incidents.
The PG of the Union says accident at the Warri Port is giving the leadership of the Union very serious concerns and sleepless nights; therefore, it is time all necessary measures be taken to see to the end of workers getting their parts of bodies broken, hurt, cut or stay with permanent disability, while serving the country on duty. The Union cannot be in anyway happy seeing our members being hit down by heavy-duty multi – purpose cranes either at the quay-aprons or inside the terminals. It’s sad that these ugly incidents at the ports premises had gone beyond the norm of
practice and professional excellence; hence, all safety standards within the ports must be strictly adhered.
Comrade Bunu, while addressing the workers and management of the Authority, the Astute Administrator and Veteran Seafarer,
asked the Authority to quickly reactivate the use of tally clerks and onboard gangway security men at the Port to make sure security is always on check at all times.
However, the Ijaw born labour Activist did not mince words, noted with fiery face as he cautioned on why the Port should be on a-24hr round the clock check, with a total compliance of the ISPS code at the port, which is the global maritime standard for ports operations. He further reiterated that Warri Ports must continue to operate on “Safety, Safety, Safety” as a wild measure to curb the ugly trend at the port.
Comrade Bunu also reminded the Ports Authority the urgent need to always post its NPA personnel to all the private jetties and the oil & gas platforms within the litoral areas of the region for operators and users of such facilities so as to keep vigilance on security and safety, which has become paramount, and of utmost concen to the government
and the citizenry of the state.
He, however, commended the management of the Warri Ports for their resilience and commitment to duty, while expressing his confidence in the ability of the Port’s leadership for improvement on the security situation at the Port’s premises.
The PG also says that with the visit so far, he is quite sure the Warri Port is definitely going to achieve greater heights in terms of security
and safety; using the medium to thank the workers for their courage and promised them the usual continued efforts and supports of the Union at any given time.
He, however admonished the workers to keep the pace of work in Warri stressing that security and safety can only work when both management and workers obey all safety rules without prejudice.
In response, the General Manager of the Authority expressed her gratitude to the PG of the Union, Comrade Bunu and his entire executives for the all important work visit to the Warri Ports facility; and prayed that the Almighty God will grant him and his entourage a safe journey back home.
