The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his contribution to the maritime industry through capacity building of its members.
The union also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for living up to expectation in its social responsibility functions through the Director General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his contribution to the maritime industry through capacity building of its members.
The union also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for living up to expectation in its social responsibility functions through the Director General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi.
Speaking at a rally organised by the union to thank the President of Nigeria for empowering the youths in the maritime sector yesterday in Lagos, President General, MWUN; Comrade Anthony Nted Emmanuel stressed that the rally was organised to thank the President and that it was not politically- motivated, even as he added that after all, members of the union are also workers in the country.
Nted stressed that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria organised the solidarity rally to express its appreciation to Dr Goodluck Jonathan “for his immense contributions to the industry.
According to him, the president has empowered dockworkers and seafarers in capacity buildings, which has enlightened members of the union and also created an enabling environment for workers.
The President General, MWUN affirmed that the seafarers department of the union has gained immensely from the Federal government in the area of training which he described as a boost to the industry because, according to him, the nation can boast of competent seafarers when compared to Greek and Philippines.
He told the mammoth crowd of members of the union that the president’s commitment to the empowerment of seafarers shows a clear indication that he is a comrade.
Speaking about the agency responsible for the interest of the union, Nted noted that since the current director general of NIMASA; Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi came on board; seafarers from the union have been greatly empowered.
He lauded the NIMASA boss and the management of the maritime regulatory agency for ensuring that the union members are well taken care of.
Nted reiterated that the union has the right to criticise the government when it errs, but added that it should be a constructive criticism.
The MWUN boss also urged the Federal Government to do more to empower the Nigerian youths, even as he appealed to the President to empower NIMASA in order to address the challenges in the maritime industry.
Nted also disclosed more seafarers will be travelling overseas for training, noting that it is a plus to sector.
He reiterated that the rally has no political undertone, calling on Nigerians to support and encourage the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The PG also drew the attention of the federal government to compel the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to pay the controversial levy to NIMASA, insisting that failure to do so after 21 days will bring about withdrawal of members from all the nation’s ports.
He added that the federal government should blacklist multinationals that fails to comply with the laws of the land.
He also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority for rendering assistance to the MWUN.
Also speaking at the rally, Director General of the NIMASA reiterated that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria is a key stakeholder in the maritime sector, adding that he was in attendance to see how importance the rally meant for the union in thanking the president of the country.
Akpobolokemi stressed that as a key stakeholder in the industry, there is the need to honour the union with his visit adding that there is a strong cordial relationship between the two bodies.
According to him, the current management of the apex regulatory agency has ever had issues with the union pointing out that through dialogue; the union has made tremendous progress in the maritime sector.
He noted that the government has invested a lot in area of training seafarers and dockworkers, adding that the Nigerian youths who have been empowered will be the greatest force to reckon with in terms of human capacity.
Discussion about this post