Union Faults Terminal Operator’s Refusal To Engage Contractors At Warri Port

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has frowned at Brittania-U’s refusal to allow Stevedoring Contractors to operate at the Finger Jetty New Port in Warri, Delta State .
In a statement addressed to the Port Manager, Delta Ports,Warri, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), dated 19h April, 2022, and copy made available to our correspondent, the union called on the terminal operator not to undermine the services of Stevedoring Contractors in furtherance to engage legitimate dockworkers to perform their duties.
According to the statement, Warri Port is a conventional port and should set a precedent for private jetties to follow by allowing extant laws to operate irrespective of whoever comes as a terminal operator.
The document alleged further that Brittania-U discarded the Stevedoring Contractor to enable them use dockworkers as slave labour, adding that the work she used members to perform has not been paid for the past two months.
It stated that payments are done at their own time and almost at crisis situation with dockworkers and not as at when due .
The statement reads: “I am directed to bring to your notice the recalcitrant behaviour of the above mentioned Terminal operator ‘Messrs Brittania-U’ to allow Stevedoring Contractor to operate at the Finger Jetty, New Port.
“It is no doubt that the Finger Jetty is right inside Warri Port, concessioned to Brittania-U as a terminal operator and that is not to undermine the use of Stevedore who in turn engage our legitimate dockworkers to perform their duties.
“It is a known fact that Warri port is a conventional port and should set a precedent for private jetties to follow by allowing extant laws to operate irrespective of whoever comes as a terminal operator.
“We, therefore, appeal to you to use your good office to prevail on Messrs. Brittania-U to allow the Stevedoring contractor appointed to the Finger Jetty to resume their job and engage our dockworkers”.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic