The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has halted its planned strike and has also suspended the withdrawal of its members from all ports, jetties and terminal in the country.
Recall that the union had on Sunday 10th May, 2020, issued a press release, announcing the unlawful arrest and detention of 20 dock workers in BUA/PTOL terminal in Port Harcourt Port, Rivers State by the Rivers State Task Force on enforcement of COVID – 19 lockdown order.
The union had threatened to withdraw the services of its members in all ports, jetties and terminals in the nation by issuing a 48 hours ultimatum within which period they demanded the unconditional release of the arrested dockworkers.
However, in a press statement obtained by our correspondent and signed by the President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the union said it has decided to suspend the withdrawal of its members as the Rivers State government has consequently effected the release of its members – dock workers while charges against them have been dropped.
Recall also that union had called for the unconditional release of the dockworkers, who had earlier been arraigned before a Magistrate, who released them on a bail of N10,000 each.
Adeyanju commended the prompt response and intervention of the Presidency, the Executive Secretary Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, President of Nigeria Labour Congress; Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman. Others who intervened are: Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh; the Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Princess Vicky Haastrup, Chairperson of Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria and the Inspector General of Police, and other well-meaning Nigerians which enabled the immediate and unconditional release of its members.
He said : “you will recall that on Sunday 10th May, 2020, we issued a press release, announcing the unlawful arrest and detention of 20 dock workers in BUA/PTOL terminal in Port Harcourt Port, Rivers State by the Governor Wike Rivers State Task Force on enforcement of COVID – 19 lockdown order.
“We also clarified that these categories of port workers – Dock workers, were on essential services as recognized by the Presidency and were thus handed ‘essential port duty pass’ to enable them move freely to and from their work places”.
“Consequent to the action of the Rivers State Task Force, the leadership of the union met and mandated the issuance of a press release to bring to public awareness the situation our members work in at the Port Harcourt ports. In the said same press release the union issued a 48 hours ultimatum within which period we demanded the unconditional release of our Comrades failure which we would withdraw the services of our members in all ports, jetties and terminals in the nation”, the statement added.
“Comrades on the basis of our demand, well-meaning Nigerians intervened and consequently effected the release of our Comrades – dock workers while charges against them have been dropped”.
“In view of this development, the leadership of the union met and mandated the announcement of suspension of the planned withdrawal of its members in all ports, jetties and terminals. All action thus stands suspended till further notice”, the union stated.
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