Maritime Unions Kick Against Exclusion From NPCC Maritime Roadmap Talks

Apparently not satisfied with their exclusion from discussions on the roadmap on how to reposition the maritime sector, two maritime industry unions have condemned the initiator; the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), saying that the final document, which may soon be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari does not include the interest of the workers.
At separate interviews with our correspondent, the two unions; namely: top officials of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association described NPCC roadmap as being propelled by personal interest.

The President of the seafarers’ body; Engineer Matthew Alalade lamented those behind the roadmap are more or less trying to recycle themselves lamenting further that they have been in the sector for years.

The Trade Union Congress auditor reiterated further that right of employees needs to be protected while setting agenda for Mr. President and without that setting maritime agenda for the attainment of vision 2020 remains an illusion.

Alalade said that the PCC boss neglected seafarers in the deliberations. "We don't know what is the motive behind the roadmap committee, but what we are saying is that if the critical stakeholders are not represented then what kind of guidelines are they giving the new administration”.

Also speaking with our correspondent on the same issue, Secretary General of MWUN; Comrade Aham Ubani said that PCC was supposed to include maritime unions in the deliberations.

Ubani said that ordinarily, the unions can stand on their own in addressing issue confronting the sector, but added that the unions’ input into such discussions would play a significant role in the agenda setting for President Muhammadu Buhari.