shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » “The law will take its course” — Pg, mwun, irabor

“The law will take its course” — Pg, mwun, irabor

by Joshua
December 15, 2008
in Uncategorized

When we broke the pathetic story of the nine employees of ENL Terminal who have been  languishing at the Kirikiri prison for close to two months, we did not realise that there was a lot to it than met the eyes. Some say the arrest was political; others argue that it was purely a legal matter. But in this explosive interaction with the President General of the maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Onikolease Irabor, I discovered that the unfortunate detention is a consequence of an admixture of reasons. You can draw your conclusion after reading this.

Some of your members are languishing at Kirikiri prison, what actually happened?
Well, it’s a pathetic story in the sense that some of the members and some of the officers of this union believe in disobedience to constituted authority. On that Saturday, I was coming from Abuja and I got a call from my national treasurer telling me that there is a problem again at ENL Terminal. I requested to know what the problem was about and I was told that the workers were protesting and as a result of the protest they blocked the entrance to the terminal with trucks from the workshop. Those protesting are from a unit, so they used their trucks to block the whole entrance, there was no movement of vehicles into and out of the terminal.  I called the president of the branch, Comrade Edwin Ogbonna immediately and I asked him if he was aware of what was happening at ENL. I did this because of the recent incident which happened at that terminal which is still fresh in our minds. We cant afford a repeat of that.   
I did not stop there, I called my deputy (Bakare) to go down there and assist Ogbonna to make sure that the issue at hand was resolved. When they got there, they discovered that the president of the branch had not even got there; he did not go there immediately. My deputy and the treasurer tried all they could, but the protesters did not listen to them. The branch president (Ogbonna) only came later in the afternoon. I now called him and said to him “I told you to go there in the morning to resolve the matter, why didn’t you go into this matter and resolve it?”

So what did he say?
He told me that when they came in the morning, the protesting workers sighted mobile policemen and I said to him “If you sight mobile policemen, did they disturb you?” If they did not disturb you, then why did you not go about your business, what is the issue, anyway the instruction is for you to tell them to move the trucks from the entrance and free the way, then on Monday, we shall have a meeting with the management of ENL” I told him also that any issue or problem that they have, they should consider it resolved. I want them to remove the trucks from the entrance and outlets of ENL to pave way for discussions

That should not be a problem
Do you know that this people disobeyed my order and they remained there until very late in the night and left the trucks there, they did not remove the trucks and there was no operation through out the whole day and in the night at ENL terminal. The company had to hire the services of APM Terminal to assist to remove the trucks, because when the protesting workers left, they went with the keys, not only that, they removed the batteries of all the trucks, the brain box of the vehicles were also removed. When APM Terminal’s plant drivers came, they could not remove them until they went and hired batteries and fixed them before they could be able to remove the trucks.

So what happened on Monday, did they come?
On that Monday that I gave instruction that all of them should report to me in my office by 10 o’clock, I was already in the office before 9:30 am waiting for them.  Could you believe me, this group of boys; instead of coming to the national secretariat of the union for me to hear them, what they did was to carry placards to the corporate head office of ENL. And because of the experience of the recent event involving the same company, the management of ENL called in the Police when they saw the protesters coming and chanting songs. The Police came in and that was how they were arrested. 

Does it mean that instead of coming to the secretariat for the meeting, they chose to go to ENL?
Yes. Unknown to me, those of them who were able to escape arrest now came to me by 3:30 pm. Imagine, I  asked them to come by 10 am, they didn’t come, that is why I told you it’s a sort of disobedience.  They went to protest; against the union’s advice and now the Police arrested them and they want me to intervene. The few of them that came told us that some of their colleagues have been arrested and I asked them: “where were you when they arrested you? Did they arrest you in your house? Why did you go to ENL office? Is that your area of operation? Some of them said they wanted to go and board a vehicle and I asked them: “vehicle to where?”  “When you have had a disagreement with your management, you are supposed to come here and let us see how we can resolve the issue.

Were you able to meet the management of ENL about the matter?
We scheduled a meeting with ENL for 2pm, but because I didn’t see them we had to wait, by the time they came, they told me that some of them had been arrested I said okay. I said, well, “I don’t want anybody to be arrested in my office, what is the offence that you committed? If it is only protest, nobody will arrest a protester, if you are going there to protest for something without blocking the way and removing the batteries of the vehicles and removing brain box from the motor, no one will arrest you. Why should the workers take laws into their own hands? They took the laws into their hands and that is why they are being punished.

But is protest not a part of unionism?
This is outside unionism; I can’t agree that this is a union matter. Supposing, I support them and anything happened to that company again the union will be blamed. So, I told them that it is wrong, that was how they were arrested. And to be frank with you, I don’t know if they are still there or they have been bailed, because I don’t think most of those who protested are officers of the union.  If you are a worker and you take the law into your hands, the law will take its cause.

Some people are insinuating that you refused to assist them because of the recent face-off between you and the president of the shipping branch to which they belong?
Let me tell you, it’s not like that; the president of the branch is subject to the office of the president general of the union. We can only have one president general at a time and we can only have one president of the branch at a time.  The hierarchy is clear; it is not an issue of saying it has something to do with what happened. If you committed an offence you have to be queried, that has nothing to do with this matter. Anyone who is reading any political meaning to it is only reading stupid meanings, very stupid, they are very idiotic. How can what happened in the past be linked to people coming to block entrance into a terminal and the same people disobeying instructions for them to leave the terminal giving an instruction for them to leave and instead of coming to my office in the morning, they went to the office of the terminal, why did they disobey union orders and who is their leader, who asked them to go there was I the one?

So who asked them?
If I was the one that asked them, I would have led the protest. What even led to the arrest, police was invited, yes, why not. If you have a terminal and you envisaged a problem, wouldn’t you invite the law enforcement agents to be there? I tell you, the issue of ENL is an issue that everybody, including the union is being very careful about and we are not handling it with levity. Anything that we see; including the ones that favour us or not, but which we discover to be against the law, we will never accept it. I will not support any criminality, anybody that take law into his or her hand or anyone who behaves as if he has no leader and does whatever pleases him. I will not support that. Those people who protested are not representing the union.

So how will this matter be resolved?
Which matter? They have not given me any matter to handle because there is no issue to be discussed; no one has brought any issue to me for discussion. If they had brought the issue to me, then I will take up the matter with the management. They are not the only people working in the terminal, mind you, we have other workers in that terminal and in other sections, are we not taking up their matters, are we not handling issues that has to do with welfare of the workers? That is our priority, we must do it, so if they had brought the issue before the union, it would have been handled, we would have handled it, but since they decided to go and take laws into their hands, the law will take its cause.


Related Posts

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

June 30, 2025
Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

March 24, 2025
Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

January 8, 2025
PHOTO NEWS: SIFAX Thanksgiving and Night of Praise 2.0

PHOTO NEWS: SIFAX Group Thanksgiving and Night of Praise 2.0

December 18, 2024

Discussion about this post

Latest News

NPA Berths First Wholly Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel, MV Ocean Dragon

NPA Berths First Wholly Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel, MV Ocean Dragon

July 5, 2025

NRC Resumes Train Services On Kano-Minna Route Before Dec. – MD

Seme Customs Engages Media, Opinion Leader, to Strengthen National Security

Oyetola Pushes Maritime Revolution at TAAM 7.0, Unveils Innovation-Driven Reform Plan

Nigeria Maintains Zero Piracy In 3 Years-Oyetola

Tin Can Customs Rakes In ₦747bn In 6 Months

Customs Intercepts 2,693 Parcels Of Hemp In Ogun

NRC To Restore Offa Train Service Before End Of 2025 – Opeifa

Customs CG Honoured by Officers as Chairperson of the WCO Council

Customs CG Donates 13 Vehicles To Customs Idiroko Command

Apapa Customs Seals Three Bonded Terminals, Seizes 27 Containers in Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

Clarion Shipping Unveils Nigeria’s First Indigenous Container Vessel, Targets West African, China-Nigeria Trade Routes

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver The liver is a vital organ located in the right upper abdomen, playing a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and digestion. It’s the largest solid organ in the body and is responsible for filtering blood, maintaining blood sugar levels, regulating clotting, and synthesizing essential proteins. The liver also stores energy, removes toxins, and produces bile, which aids in digestion Liver functions: · Metabolism and Detoxification: The liver processes nutrients from the blood, breaks down and balances them, and creates essential substances for the body. It detoxifies harmful substances like drugs and alcohol, converting them into less toxic forms for excretion. The liver plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It stores glycogen (a form of glucose) and vitamins, releasing them when the body needs them. · Digestion: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to help digest fats. Bile also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. · Blood Regulation: The liver regulates blood sugar levels by storing and releasing glucose. It synthesizes clotting factors, which are essential for blood clotting. It removes old red blood cells and processes bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. · Other Functions: The liver plays a role in immunity, helping to fight off infections. It produces proteins that are involved in the immune response. The liver also stores iron and other essential minerals. Frequently Asked Questions About The Liver · What are the first signs of a bad liver? The initial signs of liver problems can be vague and subtle, often including fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. As the liver’s condition worsens, more specific symptoms may emerge, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itchy skin, dark urine, and light-colored stools. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, can also indicate liver issues. · Where do you feel liver pain? Liver pain is typically felt in the upper right abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. It can manifest as a dull, throbbing pain, a stabbing sensation, or a general feeling of discomfort in that area. In some cases, liver pain might be felt as an ache in the right shoulder or back. · What does liver pain feel like? How liver pain feels can vary from person to person, depending on the cause. However, most people often develop one or more of the following symptoms: Dull, persistent aches in the upper abdomen A feeling of fullness or bloating Sharp, stabbing pains that come and go Tenderness when the upper abdomen is touched · What is the best way to cleanse your liver? If you haven’t been working out, start indulging in a regular exercise regime to allow the toxins to come out of your body. Yoga, going running, hitting the gym, or a simple sauna session can also prove effective. If you want a natural liver cleanse, sweating is the way to go. · How to know if the liver is swollen? What are the symptoms of an enlarged liver? You likely won’t notice an enlarged liver on your own. In some severe cases, you might notice a feeling of bloating or fullness in your belly or an ache in your upper right abdomen. · What is the best drink to flush your liver? Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. Lemons are high in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition