Merchant Navy Union Commends Lagos Police Over Arrest Of 107 Fake Personnel
President of Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transporters Senior Staff Association, Eng Bob Yousuo
Seafarers union, the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) on Thursday commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu for the timely intervention and arrest of over 107 fake Merchant Navy personnel, noting that the seafarers fraternity has no connection with those apprehended.
The Trade Union Congress TUC affiliate union, described the arrest as a welcome development that will serve as a deterrent to other fake bodies extorting teeming Nigerian youths of their hard earned money.
In a disclaimer made available to our correspondent and signed by Secretary General of the union, Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue, the union explained that she represents the Nigeria Seamen both locally and internationally.
The scribe noted that the seafaring union operates within the ambit of the law and has no link with security activities .
He noted that union is the only recognised body in the Federal Government official gazetted and the registered body saddled with the responsibility of catering for the welfare of Nigerian Seafarers (Officers).
However, he called on the general public and the Nigeria police that such general statement of proscribing the Merchant Navy without reservation is damaging and misleading, adding that ” It’s therefore our submission that the proscription order be restricted to the miscreants organizations”
Continuing, the Secretary General affirmed that” We are legal and legitimate in our operations as enshrined in the trade union (Amendment) act No 22 of 1978.”
“Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and water transport Senior Staff Association is the umbrella body for Nigeria Seafarers. It can not be outlaw by anybody as far as Maritime activities is concerned.”
“We the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA), the only recognised Fed FCeral Government official gazetted and registered body saddle with the responsibility of catering for the welfare of Nigerian Seafarers (Officers) write to appreciate the effort of the Nigerian Police Force, mostly the Lagos State Police command or the clamp down on the illegal Merchant Navy outfit (Coastal Defence Force).
” This is a welcome development that will serve as a deterrent to other fake body extorting our teaming Nigeria youths of their hard earn money.
“However, we the registered and recognized body for the welfare and well being of seafarers wish to disassociate our humble organization that is affiliate of ITF LONDON & TUC Nigeria from the unscrupulous activities of the pseudo Merchant Navy outfit. We don’t know them and have nothing in common with them and it’s nefarious activities.
“We want to inform the general public and the Nigeria police that such general statement of proscribing the Merchant Navy without reservation is damaging and misleading.
“We, are the fourth arm of the Government of the federal Republic of Nigerian in the event of distress and a professional body with global outlook.
“We represent the Nigeria Seafarers both locally and internationally. Since will operate within the ambit of the law, no security agency can proscribe us.
“It’s therefore our submission that the proscription order be restricted to the miscreants organizations. We are legal and legitimate in our operations as enshrined in the trade unions (Amendment) act No 22 of 1978.
“We wish to appeal to our members all over the globe to remain calm while the leadership of our great Association is making emphatic moves to erase the embarrassment as a result of the police biased information before the public.
“Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and water transport Senior Staff Association is the umbrella body for Nigeria Seafarers. It can not be outlaw by anybody as far as Maritime activities is concerned.
During a parade of the 107 suspects at the police command in Lagos, Mr Odumosu had said the police command, in its efforts towards curtailing activities of the Merchant Navy or similar outfits ‘raided’ their illegal training outfit at Ogudu Sandfield area, on Wednesday morning.
