Maritime

MWUN, NLC Picket Murphy Shipping

Published

14 years ago

October 7, 2011

The Shipping and Courier Branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in conjunction with the Nigerian Labour Congress, Rivers State Council has picketed the premises of Murphy Shipping and Commercial Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, over what it described as violation of labour laws and injustice meted out to workers.

The protesters who barricaded the gate of the company for about seven days, with placards and with the support of the affiliate unions of NLC, Rivers State Council, is demanding for the re-instatement of their sacked members and negotiation of the condition of service for the workers.

Some of the placards displayed have the inscription like picketing-in-action-NLC R/S, Gormma Okenedo Bye-Bye from Murphy Shipping, we stand for justice, since 2009 no mutual negotiations, we say no, it must be concluded.

Addressing the angry striking workers at the scene of the action, the Port Harcourt District Chairman, Shipping / Courier branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Ikenna Ajoku, commended the NLC affiliate unions for what he called “highest solidarity to workers in Murphy Shipping who had suffered abuses, harassment, intimidation and sack offers, which he said, violated the basic Nigerian Labour Laws.

Standing on the motto, injury to one, injury to all, the NLC has to mobilise members to picket the company until the injustice is addressed, Comrade Ajoku noted, lamenting that, two of their MWUN members, Comrade Nnamdi Chuku and Comrade Goodthing Thompson (vice chairman) were summarily dismissed by Murphy Shipping in a letter signed by the Managing Director, Ojulape Osinaike without any reason.

According to him, “Our grievances and demands are hinged on pressing issue which include, conclusion of negotiation of workers condition of service with MWUN, reinstatement of their sacked workers and re-deployment of Comrade Johnson Ogoji one of the affected staff or place him on redundancy and pay him all his entitlements in compliance with the Nigeria Joint Industrial Council Standards, after working for 17 years.

Some of the sack victims who spoke to The Tide expressed their gratitude over the intervention of the union to address the injustice in the firm, while a mechanic dept staff, Amusa Shehu lamented over workers deepening economic conditions of service and called on the company to respond to the demands of the union.

In his remark, the Murphy Shipping Unit chairman, MWUN, Morgan Reward, said the picketing action was the only weapon that can compel the company to treat workers with human face, urging them to conclude negotiation on workers’ welfare package also re-instate sacked workers. Effort to speak to the Admin and Safety manager failed as the gate was picketed.

Meanwhile, The Tide gathered that negotiation is on top gear to resolve the impasse.

Maritime

Weak Shipping Line Regulation Undermines Customs Reforms —-Says SEREC

Published

7 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) says poor regulation of shipping lines could undermine the credibility of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reforms.

Head of Research SEREC, Dr Eugene Nweke made this Known to Newsmen in Abuja

Nweke said that customs efficiency was linked to the performance of the Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystem.

Hr described the NCS as central to the success of the National Single Window (NSW) risk-based clearance and trade facilitation reforms.

“However, Customs efficiency gains are systematically eroded when upstream shipping practices introduce artificial delays, speculative charges, remote cargo release approvals and opaque cost structures”.

“In effect, weak regulation of shipping line conduct externalises inefficiencies into the Customs clearance process, inflates transaction costs, distorts compliance behavior and undermines the credibility of customs-led trade reforms,”

Nweke said that SEREC had submitted a white paper to the government advocating that shipping line governance, port economic regulation, and customs trade administration should be treated as inseparable policy domains.

SEREC said Nigeria’s Port challenges were not only infrastructure-driven but governance-related, warning that weak regulation, missing oversight reports and unchecked discretion in systems like the NSW could undermine reform efforts.

SEREC recommended reforms for Nigeria’s shipping sector, including public release of committee findings, statutory refund timelines with penalties, banning speculative demurrage billing, mandatory local cargo release and alignment of shipping practices with the NSW among others.

Nweke said that the aim of the white paper was to draw attention to sharp practices and regulatory weaknesses that had evolved beyond operational inconveniences into macroeconomic and governance risks.

“For NCS trade reforms to deliver their full impact in 2026 and beyond, shipping practices must align with the same principles guiding Customs modernisation: transparency, predictability, automation, accountability and local control.

Nweke said that by 2026, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry hope to transition from opaque and arbitrary port operations to a transparent, rules-based system managed through digital technology.

He stressed that the shift should align with ongoing reforms and international best practices, facilitated by the government through providing enabling environment and enforcing regulations

“These include predictable costs, enforceable service standards, transparent billing, time-bound cargo release, and institutional accountability particularly as Nigeria advances the National Single Window (NSW), port economic regulation, and revenue optimisation objectives.

“The expectation is not the creation of new laws, but disciplined enforcement of existing instruments, public disclosure of regulatory outcomes, and insulation of regulators from political and commercial capture,” Nweke said.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Tinubu Approve Take Off Of Olokola Deep Seaport In Ogun State

Published

7 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area

The approval brings to an end years of delay surrounding the multi billion dollar Port.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun made this Known to Journalists during an interactive session

Governor Abiodun said the Seaport would help decongest Lagos ports, while oil drilling at Tongeji Island would boost economic activities and inclusion in coastal communities.

“The Olokola deep seaport project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, has been revived following a series of meetings with the President”.

“I want to sincerely thank Mr President because this is solely his initiative. In the last two weeks alone, we have held several meetings on Olokola, and he has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality,” he said.

The Governor said the seaport would be known as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, would leverage the coastal road as an alternative logistics corridor and further ease pressure on the Lagos ports.

He commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, saying the move would enhance security and prevent infiltration from neighbouring Benin Republic.

The Governor said that the state government was working to provide basic amenities for residents of the island to improve living conditions and support emerging economic activities.

Abiodun thanked the Navy for its contribution to security in the state, attributing the relative peace in Ogun to collaboration among security agencies.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Gov Eno Vows To Actualise Ibom Deep Seaport Project

Published

7 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno says his administration is commitment to deliver the Ibom Deep Seaport project as a critical infrastructure to boost the state’s economy and transform the region.

The Governor said this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the Interaf Group Consortium at the Government House, Uyo.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, Eno emphasized on the project’s significance.

“The project is a necessity for the people of the state as my administration is fully committed to putting the necessary requirements in place to get it on course,” Eno said.

The Governor urged the consortium to work closely with the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, and the government’s representatives to ensure its timely execution.

He commended the organisation for its interest in ensuring the actualisation of the project

The Governor thanked the former Petroleum Minister, Mr Don Etiebet, for being a part of the team, and for working toward the actualisation of the facility.

Earlier,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Interaf Group Consortium, Mr Ezinwa Ibekwe commended the government for the confidence reposed in the company.

Ibekwe assured the government of the consortium’s readiness to deliver on its mandate, promising a collaborative approach to ensure the project’s success.

By: CHINEDU WOSU