The President General (PG) of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carefully select an individual who is well-versed in maritime affairs as the Minister of Transportation.
Adeyanju harped on the urgency of addressing the various challenges plaguing the sector. He stated this during a discussion with journalists at his office in Lagos recently.
He stressed the importance of appointing individuals with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the maritime industry, capable of swiftly resolving issues, rather than someone who would require substantial time to learn about the sector.
Drawing a comparison with the previous Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Adeyanju noted that Sambo’s prior experience as an employee of the Nigerian Ports Authority and National Inland Waterways Authority allowed him to seamlessly transition into the role, thereby making effective contributions from the outset.
Expressing the union’s concerns, Adeyanju stated: “Our plea is that the appointment of the Minister of Transportation should not be given to an inexperienced individual, but rather a seasoned technocrat who possesses a comprehensive understanding of the job.”
“We need individuals who is well-versed in the industry, who comprehend the challenges faced by stakeholders, and can offer tangible solutions, rather than someone who must begin by learning the basics and contributing very little,” he continued.
Addressing the current state of certain ports in Nigeria, Adeyanju expressed the need for a Minister of Transportation who would prioritize various locations, including Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar. He emphasized that efforts should not be concentrated solely on Lagos ports.
Regarding the matter of aged seafarers, who were disengaged in 1995, Adeyanju revealed that an ongoing verification process was in place to determine the status of those who have passed away and the count of surviving individuals, with the aim of providing them with compensation.
He further disclosed the establishment of a committee by the federal ministry of transportation to oversee this verification process. He noted that the committee, comprising representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, recently convened in Lagos. Another meeting is scheduled for next month to finalize the verification process across all seaports in the country.
“We are actively addressing the matter of aged seafarers. The federal ministry of transportation has established a committee for this purpose. They recently held a meeting here in Lagos to gather information on those who have passed away and those who are still alive,” Adeyanju shared.
“The committee will reconvene next month to conclude the verification process at all seaports. The collaborative effort involves key entities such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,” he concluded,
