NPA Senior Staff Union, MWUN Pledge Workers Support for Lekki Freeport Terminal
From right: Deputy National Secretary of MWUN, Comrade Oniha Erazua, Deputy President Generals of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu and Comrade Tonye Harry, President of Association Statutory Corporations and Governed Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Akinola Bodunde at the inauguration of Lekki Port district officials of the NPA Senior Staff on Thursday
…As NPA Union Inaugurates 12-Member District Executives
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The leadership of the Senior Staff Association Statutory Corporations and Governed Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Marine Branch and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have pledged their full support for the optimization of the Lekki Free Port Terminal.
The two maritime unions gave the assurances on Wednesday when it’s senior members stormed the Lekki Port to inaugurate a 12-member district executives for the NPA Senior Staff.
While promising to defend the Lekki Free Port management, the two house union however warned against victimisation of workers.
The president, SSASCGOC, Maritime, Comrade Akinola Bodunde said that the essence of inaugurating the union in the terminal, is not to witch-hunt the management but to enable efficiency at the facility.
He said, “We did not come here to fight the the management rather, we are here to partner with you so that things can be done in the right way.
“Unionizing our members here is aimed at increasing your productivity. The era of banging tables is over, in Nigeria today, we are of the the unions to reckon with.
“I promise that you will see the best of your workers but what we will not allow is victimisation of the workers
“Our priority is the progress of the organisation. The union will stand by the management and the workers and we are ready to defend the organisation
Speaking further, Comrade Bodunde warned the new executives against greed, selfishness, victimisation and sentiments.
“To the executives, we won’t tolerate greed, victimisation, sentiments. Your priority is how the job will move forward. As executives, carry everybody along,” he submitted.
Also speaking, President General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju emphasized that both unions work in harmony
Comrade Adeyanju who doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was represented at the inauguration by Harry Tonye, Deputy President General of MWUN.
Adeyanju assured that the union was not out to fight the management but to help it to grow and make the organisation efficient.
His words, “We will ensure that we will nurture the project to maturity. We will not allow victimisation of workers.
“You have to cook a good food for the workers to be able to deliver efficiently because if you don’t cook good food and we have to cook for you, you will not be able to eat it” he said
He however admonished the new executives to carry the workers, union and management along in whatever they are doing.
He implored them to adopt dialogue over banging of tables as means of negotiating with the management of the organisation.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of LFT, Mr. Yann Magarian stated the resolve of the terminal to work with the workers.
He promised to adhere to the rules of engagement as contained in the labour laws saying, “We will do something together.”
Also speaking, Fubara Awanta, General Manager/Head of Government Relations of LFT assured the union of conviviality with the management
He stressed that the good relationship between the two bodies would be sustained.
The Human Resources Manager, Ibiso Eteh also promised that the management would mete out good treatment to the workers.
She said, “We are here to support you. We will cook the right food and serve it round.
“I know the staff will give us their best, ” she enthused.
In his acceptance speech, Henry Folorunsho, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated District sought the support the union members and that of the management even as he promised to uphold all the expectations of his office.
“With your support and support of the members, we will uphold all that is expected of us.
“I am very happy to work with you and we expect the management to cook well for us,” he demanded.
The new executives include; Henry Folorunsho – Chairman, Ugochukwu Eze – Vice Chairman, Lolo Eneibi Enefa – Secretary, Mohammed Kaluwa –
Assistant Secretary, Dayo Areh – Treasurer, Ekomobong Iniedu – Assistant Treasurer, Omiete Harcourt Whyte – Financial Secretary.
Others are; Emmanuel Okpudi – Assistant Financial Secretary, Damilola Akinwande – Women Leader, Olajide Ayeola – Ex – official, Ibim Biobeleme – Ex – official, Chinedu Mgbonta – Ex – official.
