New Dockworkers’ president, Agboola pledges enhanced workers’ welfare, sustained industrial peace

The newly elected President of the Dockworkers branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Bolaji Agboola, has promised to prioritize members’ welfare and sustain the industrial peace at the port, building upon the legacies of his predecessor, Comrade Ibrahim Ohize.

Speaking in a chat with journalists shortly after his inauguration in Lagos, Agboola emphasized that the fundamental objective of any union leader must be the well-being of the workers.

He expressed committnent to improving upon the achievements of his predecessor and past leaders, stating, “The past president has set the standard for all of us to follow, so we must build on it.”

Agboola also disclosed plans to review the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement, which he said, is set to expire next year.

He pledged to build and improve upon where the past president stops, noting that efforts would be made to cover areas not adequately addressed in the current agreement.

He expressed disappointment that some terminals, particularly in Port Harcourt, are still operating under outdated rates just as he vowed to rectify the discrepancy in the new NJIC agreement.

He said, “When we travelled to Port Harcourt, we notice that there are some terminals that are not using the current NJIC. They are still backward, using the former rates, which is very disappointing.

“We are looking at all those areas now to make sure that when next we are going to sign the next NJIC, we are going to make sure we cover everything.”

Speaking on his successful tenure as district chairman at ENL terminal, especially in maintaining industrial peace, Agboola promised to replicate those achievements at the presidential level.

“Our achievements at ENL terminal where I served as the district chairman is there for all to see. And that is what we will try to apply at the Dockworkers president level.

“We will sustain the peace at the port. The only place we have problem is with the Dockworkers at Tincan but my leadership will “do everything possible to make sure there is no more problem in Tincan, ” he said.

He disclosed that discussions with aggrieved dockworkers are ongoing to address and resolve the issues.

“I and along with all my branch executives are going to make sure we part on the way of peace. We are not going to give up on that,” he said.

On the forthcoming district elections, Agboola stressed the importance of careful selection to avoid past mistakes.

“We don’t want what happened in the past to repeat itself again. We want to study who is going to come on board,” he stated, highlighting the need for leaders who will genuinely advocate for workers’ rights.

“We want somebody that is going to fight for the rights of the workers. We don’t want a selfish district chairman or unit chairman. That is why we need to take our time and study anybody that is coming up so that it won’t look as if maybe they are just coming there to come and win for themselves,” he said.

He said the district elections will take place within the next two to three months.