SSASCGOC, MWUN pledge support for Lekki Free port terminal, say unionization of workers will increase productivity

The Maritime branch of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government owned Agencies (SSASCGOC) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have expressed their readiness to support and partner the management of Lekki Freeport Terminal to become more productive in its operations in Nigeria.

The two maritime unions gave the assurance during the inauguration of pioneer executives of SSASCGOC maritime branch for the Lekki Freeport Terminal on Thursday.

President of the Senior Staff Association, Comrade Akinola Bodunde, said that unionization of workers is not to witch-hunt the management but to help increase productivity at the port.

He assured that while the union will accord priority to the progress and development of the port, workers must be treated fairly warning that the union will not accept any form of intimidation of workers at the terminal.

He said, “We know you are here to make money but when you treat your workers well, you will make your money. If they are happy working for you, they need to be compensated and the compensation will be in line with what they have put in their job.

“We are not lazy in Nigeria. We are very hardworking and the people you are seeing here, I am assuring you that the progress and development of this port is their number one priority. I am assuring you that the union will stand by the management and the workers. Any challenge that is above you, call us, we would be there for you and we are ready to defend the organization and partner with you to make sure that the necessary things that need to be done are done.

“You can’t be seeing each worker but when you have a group you can talk to, it makes the job easier for you. Unionising our members here is to increase your productivity. But what we will not agree as a union is for any of our members to be victimised.  If you have any challenge we will sit down together and sought out issues.”

Noting that the maritime workers union and senior staff association is one of the unions to reckon with in Nigeria, Bodunde assured that the leadership of both unions will continue to dialogue with the management of LFT on issues of mutual benefit to the workers and the management.

“The era of unions coming to your office and banging tables is no more. We are not part of that. We don’t do that in the maritime. We will dialogue together, talk and harmonise issues that’s why we are more responsible than any union organization you can talk of.

“The maritime workers union and senior staff association in Nigeria today is one of the unions to reckon with. We have done a lot of things in the maritime industry and you are coming to join us, we are assuring you, you will get the best of your workers,” he said.

Bodunde tasked the newly inaugurated executives to shun greed and selfishness while ensuring all members are carried along.

“What we don’t tolerate in this union is greed and selfishness. You should be a leader for everybody. There should be no victimization or tribal and religious sentiment. What brings us together here is this job. How the job will move forward is your priority. If the company is moving forward, your job is secured but if the job is not going well, it will affect all of you,” he told the new executives,” he said.

Also speaking, President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale noted that both unions work in collaboration for the progress of the maritime industry.

Comrade Adeyanju who doubles as the Deputy President if the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and represented by the Deputy President General of MWUN, Harry Tonye maintained that the union was to out to fight the management but to help it to grow and make the organisation efficient.

He said, “Lekki port is a new port and so we will ensure that we will nurture the port to maturity. But we will not succumb to victimisation and intimidation of workers.

“We want food that the management will cook for the workers that will nourish their body. It will be difficult for them to give you their best if you don’t cook good food so if you want the best of workers, you must cook the food that will nourish them because if we have to cook for you, you will not be able to eat it.”

Adeyanju advised the new executives to carry the workers, union and management along in whatever they are doing just as he stressed the need for them to embrace dialogue in negotiation and resolving issues with the management of the terminal.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of LFT, Mr. Yann Magarian expressed the commitment of the management to work with the unions and workers.

He promised to replicate the cordial working relationship he had with the union while he served at Tin Can port at the Lekki freeport.

“I know some faces here because we have been working together for more than 15 years ago, and solved many issues together at Tin Can and I’m convinced that we will move forward.

“It’s easier to talk to the union than talking to members. So, my task is to copy and paste exactly what I did in Tin Can we will do here,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated district, Henry Folorunsho sought the support of the union members and that of the management even as he promised to uphold all the expectations of his office.

“We will take all what you have told us to heart and ensure that we do our best to set a pace in terms of unionism in maritime operations,” he said.

The new executives that will pilot the affairs of the senior staff union for four years include; Henry Folorunsho as Chairman, Ugochukwu Eze – Vice Chairman, Lolo Eneibi Enefa – Secretary, Mohammed Kaluwa – Assistant Secretary, Dayo Areh – Treasurer, Ekomobong Iniedu – Assistant Treasurer and Omiete Harcourt Whyte as Financial Secretary.

Others are; Emmanuel Okpudi – Assistant Financial Secretary, Damilola Akinwande – Women Leader, Olajide Ayeola – Ex – official, Ibim Biobeleme – Ex – official and Chinedu Mgbonta –  as Ex – official.