Following the security challenges in the country, dock workers in Port Harcourt Port, Rivers State, have been advised to be vigilant and always ensure that arms were not smuggled into the country through the port.

The President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Tony Nted Emmanuel gave the advice while addressing labour workers in maritime industry at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) anchorage, Port Harcourt Port during his tour to various Port formations in all seaports in Nigeria recently,

Comrade Emmanuel said as stakeholders in the industry, they also owe this nation a duty of securing the seaports and private jetties, saying they should be security conscious at all times.

On their welfare, he called on the various managements and other employers of labour to live up to expectation by providing enabling environment for maritime operators.

The MWUN President General assured the workers that salaries and wages would be paid as at when due, and enjoined them to maintain the existing cordial relationship between them and their employers.

In his speech, the Port Manager, Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Port Harcourt Port, Mr. Oladele Alabi said  the level of understanding between the leadership of MWUN and NPA had gone beyond an ordinary relationship as it had helped increase productivity in the industry.

“That the productivity in the Nigeria seaports has increased from four million metric tones to seven million metric tones. This was made possible because of positive understanding of the workers and the management, and assured of sustaining the spirit.

Also speaking, the zonal vice president of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Waite Harry used the medium to thank the president general, whom he described as a product of positive change, and prayed God to continue to give him the wisdom and courage to accomplish what he had started to better the union.

Comrade Harry, on behalf of the union members in Port Harcourt Port also thanked the president general for the provision of about 20 buses for the Nigerian seaports to enable officers to carry out their duties effectively, saying “it is first of its kind”, adding that, “what we owe him as followers is to emulate his lifestyle because we believe when the righteous rule, the people rejoice”.

During the two day tour, the president general also visited Onne Port Complex.

Collins Barasimeye