Gift Ekwueme
Lagos — The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, have enforced the shutdown of Nigeria’s premier seaports, Apapa and Tin-Can Island, Lagos, in compliance with the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
The directive to shut down the ports and embark on an indefinite strike follows a directive from both the NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, over concerns on workers’ rights, the recent alleged Imo State government-instigated assault on the president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and other officials of the union as well as government’s alleged non-compliance with agreements, including the ones on the national minimum wage.
MWUN’s executive members ordered the port closure, impacting freight forwarders and raising concerns about potential consequences for businesses, with demurrage on goods piling up and this expected to be transferred to consumers.
Port workers prevented users from accessing the ports, thereby disrupting economic and commercial activities. Stranded port users were seen loitering around as the Nigerian Ports Authority gate was being shutdown while there was also heavy presence of police officers around the port.
In a statement by the head of media, MWUN, Com. John Ikemefuna, the indefinite strike, started on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
According to a port user, Mukaila Oladimeji, he was returning home because he couldn’t access the port.
He disclosed that he had some cargoes to exit out of the port, but with the strike action, that won’t be possible on Tuesday anymore.
”I have to return home. I can’t access the port to exit my cargo. The importer will have to pay terminal operator additional storage charges for today,” he said.
Another port user, Yusuf Liadi, said the protesting workers stopped clearing agents and workers from opening their offices.
He said cargo laden and empty container laden trucks were not allowed access to the seaports.
“We have been here since 7am and we can’t access the port. The labour unions have shut down operations, no truck go in or come out,” he complained.
The strike adds pressure to the ongoing nationwide labour unrest.
