At least 13 former seafarers of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) have died in recent months, even as they wait for their long-overdue disengagement benefits, despite repeated assurances from the government.
Shipping Position Daily however learnt that the Federal Ministry of Finance is processing their claims, fueling hopes that the overdue payments will be disbursed before the end of March.
Findings by our correspondent last week showed that the disengaged workers, numbering over 700, were recently invited by the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who assured them that the Ministry of Finance had received their files and was processing the payments.
Comrade Adeyanju, who is set to leave office by March, expressed optimism that the funds would be disbursed before his exit.
Speaking on the matter, one of the affected seafarers, Muhammed Hassan, told Shipping Position Daily last week that the retired workers had initially planned another protest to demand their entitlements, but the union leadership urged patience, stating that efforts had been made to expedite the process.
According to Muhammed, they were told that the MWUN had taken proactive steps just weeks ago by lobbying government officials in Abuja, including a meeting with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume
Despite these lobby, the apparently frustrated seafarer stated that over 12 members have died since the last verification exercise . Muhammed further expressed hope that their entitlements will be paid before Adeyanju’s departure from office as the President General of the Union in March.
“In a meeting held last Friday at the National Headquarters, the PG of MWUN, Comrade Adeyanju called everyone because we were about to protest again to give an ultimatum. So, he quickly called everybody and told us there is no need for us to protest again seeking that we should just be patient.
“The PG informed us that our file has been delivered to the Ministry of Finance. So, now they are processing the payment. He promised that by God’s grace, the money will be paid before he leaves office in March.
“We were told that about three to four weeks ago, representatives of the union went to Abuja and lobbied key officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They told us to remain calm as everything was being handled. Unfortunately, since the last verification exercise, over 12 people have died while waiting for the payments,” Hassan lamented.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the verification exercise was flagged off in April 2024 in Lagos and other port locations in the country.
It was also confirmed that, after the nation-wide verification, details of the exercise were forwarded appropriately.
Another seafarer who spoke to our correspondent, Mr.Victor Riman confirmed that they were told the union had completed all necessary processes, and the delay now lies with the Ministry of Finance. He emphasized that there would be no further need for letter-writing, protests, or additional communication, as the responsibility now lies with the Ministry of Finance.
Riman however, noted uncertainty over whether the payments had been included in the national budget for 2025, which may be the reason for the delay. He lamented that delays in the payment process have taken a toll on them, as about 13 verified individuals have passed away since the last verification exercise while many others are currently hospitalized and bed-ridden.
“They (MWUN) have done the needful. So, it’s left for the Ministry of Finance now to credit the money to our accounts. We don’t know probably whether the money entered the national budget. Maybe that is what they are waiting for. That’s the true position.
“From the last verification till now about 13 people are dead already. About 700 people were verified. But those did not meet up with the last verification have their discharge books and we have already told them so that in case they come, they should know that they are part of us. They can verify them while the payment can be done during the second or third batch” Riman concluded.
