Maritime Labour Union Challenge Oyetola on Proposed Refloating of NNSL

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Maritime Workers Union (MWUN)has knocked the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola for purporting to refloat the defunct Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) without first saying anything about the debt overhang of maritime workers thrown into unemployment and misery since the collapse of the line 28 years ago.

Reacting to the minister’s statement, the President -General of MWUN, Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju, fnli HFCPSP described the proposal as dead on arrival, until and unless the federal government sorts out the workers unpaid wages and pension.

In a statement by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN, titled “THAT OYETOLA’S PROJECTION TO REFLOAT NNSL, A MIRAGE”, the spokesman of the union quoted Adeyanju as flaying the minister for being insensitive to the plight of those who worked tirelessly to serve the nation and the national carrier by considering a reactivation of the line while pretending that workers laid out without benefits is mmaterial.

The statement reads: “The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola who was in Lagos recently, made a projection of refloating the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) after 28 years of its liquidation.

“The President -General of the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju, fnli HFCPSP, few months back met with the Minister during the commissioning of the Mission to Seafarers Center in Apapa, where he chipped to the Minister of the enormous task ahead of him in his ministry and varying major issues confronting the Maritime Workers Union, especially on the protracted unpaid entitlements and pensions of disengaged Seafarers of the liquidated NNSL, even as ruled by the NIC in favour of the aged Seafarers that they should be paid.

“The Union is now having a different view of the Minister when he did not speak about the aged Seafarers who navigated with the moribund national carrier vessels over the new NNSL proposal.  MWUN takes it as a major challenges because the matter has not been resolved with several Ministers of Transportation as regards the settlement of the retiree aged Seafarers and other issues confronting the blue economy which has not been given a clear cut definition and mode of operation, this is worrisome  to the Union.

“The refloating of a new NNSL will be a mirage if the retired Seafarers, who worked tirelessly with deep sense of patriotism for  the country are not given their due rights after 28 years they left service of the national carrier vessels will only amount to human injustice of the highest order. It will also be tantamount to placing the cart before the horse if such proposition is in the pipeline without first thinking of the aged Seafarers.”

Adeyanju urged the minister to revisit the committee set up by his immediate predecessor on the matter, if he is in earnest of his statement to refloat the moribund line; even as he outlined fundamental steps Oyetola must take pursuant to the proposed policy  implementation  of the blue economy.

“We, as a Labour Union will not remain aloof and keep watching our aged Seafarers to continue suffering unnecessary penury after meritorious years of service to their fatherland. It’s true that some of the aged Seafarers have died from various types of ailments, some from psychological torture and trauma; mental degradation, abject poverty and so much more that has weighed them down by way of depression.

“It would be recalled that the former Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, did set up a committee involving two ministries, Ministry of Transportation and Labour Ministry respectively. The said committee was charged with the responsibility of carrying out physical verification exercise of the aged Seafarers, which the Union thought would have brought some sort of succour; but the story is still the same. It’s indeed unfortunate to say here that the committee has never met.

“So, where do we go from here, when you want to refloat the NNSL with no consideration to the Seafarers who served the defunct carrier vessels? This is unheard of anywhere globally, therefore, the assertion for a new NNSL is mirage in its conception, except the needful is done

“The Blue Economy that is on the lips of every Nigerian today, emerged as a global concept in 2012. Therefore, the Union’s position as far as the new ministry is concerned cannot function without the inclusion of MWUN in all its ramifications; hence, the Union must be part of the policy process, which must be seen to conforming with the rules of social inclusion and collaboration, because the blue economy must be seen to strengthening social equity order, hence, our disposition, given the aged Seafarers debacle which is yet to receive serious attention.

“It will be unkind to the Union to hear any assertion by the Minister regarding a new NNSL without carrying along the previously disengaged Seafarers concerning their entitlements which have not been fully settled.”

Comrade Adeyanju, who doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had before now prayed the Minister to look into the nagging issue of the Seafarers to see how he can bring it to a logical conclusion.

However, the union leader promised to partner and support the minister in his bid to ensuring that the nation and the maritime sector achieve growth and progress during his tenure.