Avoseh re-elected as MWUN Seafarers’ branch President, pledges to end wage disparity for indigenous seafarers

Comrade Sunday Avoseh has been re-elected unopposed as the President of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Seafarers branch, for a second term of four years.

His re-election, alongside six other executive members, took place on Thursday at the Union’s 6th branch Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Port Harcourt.

The newly elected branch executives include Ebiye Atou as Vice President, Jonah Jumbo as Treasurer, Comrade Boro Ekotoro- Trustee; Ezekiel Steven- Trustee; Great Edenumor as Auditor, and Zainab Muhammed Lawal as Branch Women Representative.

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Avoseh expressed gratitude for the renewed mandate and pledged to continue working diligently for the union.

“You have bestowed the responsibility to pilot the affairs of this branch for another four years, and I promise, I will not disappoint you. We will work together and together, we will achieve greater heights,” he stated.

Avoseh vowed to combat wage disparity between foreign and indigenous sailors, warning that it would “not be business as usual” for shipowners.

Speaking, he said, “We are not going to tolerate or allow foreigners to take our job. To the seafarers emploters and shipowners, we are also not going to allow differential in renumeration between foreigners and the indigenous sailors in this country.”

He expressed optimism for job opportunities for Nigerian seafarers through ongoing partnerships aimed at resuscitating the national shipping line, affirming the union’s full support for the federal government in this initiative.

Avoseh also expressed his administration committtent to pursue an end to harassment and the unjust repatriation of seafarers to ensure a better environment for them in the country.

Earlier, Comrade Francis Bunu, President General of the MWUN, used the occasion to appeal to the government to expedite the payment of gratuities to aged seafarers who retired following the liquidation of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).

“We are appealing to the government to give what is due to the aged seafarers. It is due. We are only begging the federal government to expedite action for the payment of their pension. Right now, it’s in the Ministry of Finance, so it’s only at the last point,” Bunu said.

He urged for quick action to ensure the payments are included in the new budget, noting that recommendations from the Ministries of Blue Economy and Labour are already with the Ministry of Finance.

Comrade Bunu also extended appreciation to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for upgrading the seafarers’ discharge booklet to international standards while urging them to make more booklets available nationwide.

He urged NIMASA to recognize the personnel in their safety and maritime labour department for their commendable work, citing a recent instance where NIMASA promptly acted on a union report about an unseaworthy vessel.

While urging seamen who are yet to join the Union to get unionized, Bunu expressed hope for better future for seafarers, stating that the union remains the vital vehicle to champion their course.

Bunu lauded Avoseh’s performance, attributing his re-election to merit rather than imposition.

He also stressed that there would be no room for non-performing district chairmen, urging the branch to elect chairmen chosen by the people.

In their separate goodwill messages, immediate past President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju; Deputy President General, Comrade Funmi Fasan; Vice President General, Comrade Ibrahim Ohize; former President, Shipping Branch, Comrade Ekpeyong Ekpeyong; and President of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Akin Bodunde, all acknowledged Avoseh’s sterling performance, deeming him deserving of a second term.

They also congratulated the President General, Comrade Bunu, for successfully overseeing the delegates’ conferences and elections across the Shipping, Dockworkers, and Seafarers branches.

Comrade Adeyanju expressed delight at participating in the conference, having successfully led the union’s national delegates election that produced the current executives.

He urged members to continue fostering unity and driving the union forward, calling on them to “close ranks and allow peace to reign in the Union.”

He further urged members to extend the same support given to him to the President General and the re-elected President of the Seafarers branch.

Representatives from the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, Ministry of Labour, ITF, NIMASA, and Sea Transport services witnessed the election.