Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) said the union has suspended its planned industrial action following pleas from relevant stakeholders and meaningful Nigerians. The union had planned to go on strike on March 1 (today) to protest against International Oil Companies (IOCs)failure to comply with the extant stevedoring regulation.
The union in a statement issued on Monday and sent to Shipping Position Daily, and signed the President General; Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and Secretary General; Comrade Felix Akingboye, stated that it bowed to last-minute intervention by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
The union added that it was giving the IOCs more time to complete all processes and to comply with the law as it relates to the engagement of stevedores on all oil terminals in Nigeria.
The statement reads in part: “Following the 14 days’ Notice given to the Federal Government of Nigeria on non-compliance with the extant stevedoring regulation (Marine Notice 106, 2014) by the International Oil Companies (IOCs), the managements of the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Shippers Council held separate meetings with the Union (MWUN) on Friday 25” February, 2022 to deliberate on the way forward.
“Both managements appealed to the Union to be given time to prevail on the IOCs to comply with the extant stevedoring law and a time lag of 30days effective 25′” February 2022 was granted.
“However, at another meeting held with Management of NPA, representatives of the IOCs, NNPC, NAPIM and NASO today 28″ February 2022, it was unanimously agreed that two (2) weeks effective from today 28” February, 2022 be given to the IOCs to complete all processes to comply with the law and commence implementation of engaging the stevedores and Dockworkers on their oil platforms and report back to the Authority and the Union for review.
“Consequent upon the above, and the plea of well-meaning Nigerians, the Union as a patriotic and responsible organization hereby temporarily suspends its planned industrial action billed to commence 12am 1° March 2022.”
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