Business
Ships’ Diversion: Rivers Port Dockworkers Threaten Showdown
Dockworkers at the
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Rivers Ports Complex, Port Harcourt have threatened showdown with the management over the alleged continuous diversion of ships meant for the port to Onne.
During a peaceful protest at the port complex last Wednesday, the protesting workers also threatened to ground all activities at the port if the situation was not reversed.
Addressing newsmen during the protest, the Port Harcourt District Chairman, Dockworkers Union of Nigeria (DWUN) Comrade Oputa Ebenezer said that several vessels meant for the Port Harcourt Port are being diverted to Intels at Onne Port.
Comrade Ebenezer accused the management of the port of being responsible for the situation, which he claimed has rendered more than 13,000 workers redundant.
He said that the dockworkers are giving the management 24 hours ultimatum to reverse the policy or be prepared to face the wrath of workers.
“We are tired of these diversions. We have children to feed, so we cannot watch and allow management continue with these acts”, he said.
Ebenezer said that workers are not getting any wages because of the diversion, noting that at the moment the volume of business activities at the port has reduced and urged for intervention of government.
The Port Manager, Mrs Carol Akum Ufere was not on seat when The Tide called at her office for reaction.