PICTURE STORY: Jime Buckles to Comrade Adeyanju

L-R: President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Hon Emmanuel Jime and other senior officials. (Photo Source: Comrade Adeyanju Facebook handle)
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Following the recent anger expressed by the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, that the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Hon Emmanuel Jime was snubbing the union, it appears the shippers Council boss has finally submitted by granting the union audience.
Since his assumption of office, the Shippers Council boss have not interfaced with maritime stakeholders as expected of an agency of its status, being an economic regulator of Nigerian maritime sector.
The Shippers Council boss specifically blocked out the maritime media and even put an end to all existing subscriptions to media houses.
The maritime workers union and other stakeholders have expressed nostalgia for the former Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr Hassan Bello who displayed highest level of professionalism and understanding throughout his tenure.
Bello was the MVP (Most Valuable Player) among all government parastatals in the maritime sector in his time due to his understanding and respect for stakeholders.
It is worrisome however that the Shippers Council under Emmanuel Jime has gradually retrogressed back to its dark ages, where it could only bark but not bite. Stakeholders have now termed the agency as a toothless bulldog.
It is good that Hon Jime listened and granted audience to the maritime union. But operators expect him to be proactive, not reactive.