Dockworkers Embark On Warning Protest

Dockworkers under the umbrella body of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Haulage Unit of Port Harcourt Port on Monday embarked on a peaceful demonstration over the inability of the Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to settle the impasse between them and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the Port.

Although the protest did not paralyse activities at the Port, the atmosphere was tense with security personnel on stand-bye at the entrance of the Port Complex.

The Tide correspondent, who was at the scene gathered that the demonstration was a warning protest to press home their demands that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers have no business to do at the wharf.

The demonstrating workers carried placards some of which read thus; “Settlement of haulage issues will increase quick turn-over of vessels”, “Haulage operations are purely Maritime Workers Affairs”, “Delay in given us our right is equal to delay in Ports operations”, “All Port Operations within the Port Jurisdiction by Law”, and Impersonation in haulage operation should retrace their steps before it is too late”.

Speaking with our correspondent during the demonstration, the Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Port Harcourt District, Comrade Ebenezer Oputa said the peaceful demonstration was as a result of members of the road transport workers who claimed to be dockworkers trying to usurp the job of the haulage dockworkers at the Port.

Comrade Oputa noted that the activities of NURTW starts and end on the road and not at the Ports, and wondered what role road transport workers had to do inside the wharf.

“The Seaports are meant for Maritime Workers and the activities of the road transport workers at the Port have created double taxation for agents and importers as well as diversion of goods”,and noted. He said that the move if not checked would lead to a crisis, and appealed to the management of NPA, Port Harcourt Ports to take action.

The Tide correspondent however gathered that the Port Manager, Mr Oladele Alabi had already set up a committee to look into the matter, and efforts made by our correspondent to get  comments from the Ports manager proved abortive, as the Chief Port Public Affairs Manager, Mrs Barbra Nchey-Achukwu said the Port Manager Just came back from a journey and could not see anybody. She referred our correspondent to the office of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), whom she claimed is responsible for Dockworkers at the Port.

Collins Barasimeye