The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said that safety of workers and security of the ports was of utmost importance to the union.
The union’s president general; Comrade Anthony Nted, said this while answering questions from newsmen in Lagos.
He said that members of the union were always advised to be security conscious while working at the ports.
According to Nted, dockworkers are encouraged to report anybody found wanting in the port to relevant authorities.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said that safety of workers and security of the ports was of utmost importance to the union.
The union’s president general; Comrade Anthony Nted, said this while answering questions from newsmen in Lagos.
He said that members of the union were always advised to be security conscious while working at the ports.
According to Nted, dockworkers are encouraged to report anybody found wanting in the port to relevant authorities.
“During examination of a container, if the workers find anything inimical to the Nigeria State, they will alert the police, Nigerian Ports Authority and the union.
“ Some arms passing through the ports have been intercepted on many occasions by the Customs or Police,’ he said.
The MWUN leader said that dockworkers would not allow anything that was detrimental to the nation to pass through the ports.
He said that the dockworkers, police, customs and other relevant authorities were always vigilant because they were the “eagle eyes” of the Federal Government.
According to him, this effort has reduced smuggling of arms through the ports into the country.
He said that the union ensured that its members were saved and secured at work places since Nigeria was part of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).
“Before a worker climbs on a vessel to work, he must put on all the safety gadgets. He must put on the overall, safety boot, helmet and safety key apron.
“There must also be a pep talk about safety in case the person will be working under container or hazardous cargo,’’ Nted explained.
The union president said that many people had died in the past because safety measures were not adhered to.
He, however, said that the incidence had been reduced to the barest minimum due to the level of enlightenment.
Nted said he could not assess the seafarers’ convention which Nigeria ractified in 2013 since its implementation would start in June 18.
He explained that the essence of the convention was to cater for the welfare of seafarers working on board a vessel.
According to him, the union is monitoring activities of private sector in the ports to ensure that they complied with safety measures.
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