The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), under the leadership of President General Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has called off its planned nationwide strike that was set to begin today, January 9th, 2024.
The decision, according to a press statement issued by the union on Monday, comes after progress was made in resolving long-standing disputes regarding adherence to stevedoring regulations by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Stevedoring Contractors.
The proposed strike had threatened to disrupt operations at seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil & gas platforms across Nigeria. However, following intensive negotiations brokered by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the signing of two key communiques, the union stated that it opted to resume normal duties and give stakeholders time to address remaining concerns.
The MWUN reported that the first communique, signed on Friday, January 5th, 2024, acknowledged the substantial compliance of IOCs in deploying labour. However, it also highlighted the outstanding issue of equipment deployment, which will be reviewed within the next three months. Additionally, the communique mandated the relevant regulators to facilitate meetings within a week with marginal field operators and non-compliant operators to ensure immediate compliance with stevedoring regulations and grant access to appoint stevedores.
The second communique, signed on Monday, January 8th, 2024, by representatives of the NPA, MWUN, and the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), set a deadline of the end of January 2024 for resolving all outstanding issues pertaining to compliance and access to work locations for stevedores. Additionally, it confirmed the immediate implementation of the Friday communique as a gesture of good faith.
Commenting on the development, MWUN President General Comrade Adewale Adeyanju expressed gratitude to the NPA, particularly the current Managing Director, for his dedication and leadership in resolving the conflict. He emphasized that while progress has been made, the union will remain vigilant and monitor the situation closely to ensure full compliance with the agreed-upon resolutions.
The communiques on January 5th and 8th were jointly signed by Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar, ED, E&TS (for Managing Director, NPA), Prince Adewale Adeyanju (President, MWUN), and Comrade Bolaji Sunmola, President, NASO. Mohammed Bello Koko, MD of NPA, also endorsed the agreements
Stakeholders in the nation’s industry have expressed that the lifting of the strike is a significant relief for the Nigerian economy, which relies heavily on the maritime sector. However, it also emphasizes the need for continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure long-term stability and fair treatment for all stakeholders involved.
