Emmanuel OchayiThe Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) opposes the Federal Government’s proposal to revive the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) via a public-private partnership.
They cite unaddressed concerns about the welfare of former employees who served the now-defunct carrier.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelExpressing firm dissent, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, President-General of MWUN, emphasized the pressing need to resolve outstanding benefits owed to retired seafarers before considering the revival of the NNSL.
He conveyed the Union’s concerns regarding the government’s oversight of the aged seafarers who devoted years of service to the nation but are yet to receive their rightful entitlements.
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“The Union is now having a different view of the Minister when he did not speak about the aged seafarers who navigated with the defunct national carrier vessels over the new NNSL proposal,” remarked John Kennedy Ikemefuna, MWUN’s Head of Media.
Adeyanju highlighted the long-standing neglect faced by the aged seafarers, decrying the absence of concrete measures to address their plight.
He stressed the necessity for the government to prioritize resolving these issues of human injustice and provide due recompense to those who served the nation diligently.
Moreover, Adeyanju questioned the government’s commitment to resolving the matter, citing previous unsuccessful attempts by a committee set up to verify the aged seafarers’ claims, which yielded no tangible results.
The MWUN asserted that any plans for the revival of the NNSL must involve the resolution of outstanding employee benefits, asserting that the Union’s inclusion in the policy process is imperative for social equity within the blue economy sector.
In light of these unaddressed concerns, the MWUN stood unwavering in its stance against the re-floatation of the NNSL until the rightful entitlements of the retired seafarers are duly settled.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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