Sea Piracy: Bayelsa Maritime Union Threatens Strike

Maritime workers in
Bayelsa State have threatened to down  their tools indefinitely if the state government does  not take  practical steps to address sea piracy and other criminal activities along water ways.
The maritime workers insisted that waterways  in the state are now death traps owing to the activities of men of the underworld, who unleash mayhem on them and passengers travelling to different  communities.
The State Chairman of the Maritime  Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Llyod Sese, who disclosed this to newsmen in Yenagoa recently, described  the security situation along the waterways as frightening.
“They kill our people, rob and even rape women at will. Every now and then our drivers and passengers are waylaid and goods as well as  cash are taken at gun point. Sometimes, we recorded cases of death”, Sese stated.
He said the workers are also demanding that floating  mega filling stations be built along  sea routes  to enable boat operators purchase  petroleum  products at the official  pump price.
The workers had a couple of weeks ago  embarked on a warning strike to press home  their demands which also include integrating some  of their  members into maritime task force to work with security agencies to tackle the activities of the sea pirates.
The action which paralysed activities along the water ways, leaving many travelers stranded was however suspended  some days later as the union urged  the state government to  address the situation, failing which, they embark on indefinite strike in the coming weeks.
In a reaction, Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikaki, expressed the readiness of the state government to address the issue.
The commissioner appealed to the maritime workers in the state for understanding, assuring that the state government would be alive to its responsibilities of safeguarding lives and property along the water ways and creeks.