The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have held talks to address concerns prompting the Union’s threat to shut down operations at the nation’s seaports.
The Comptroller-General of NCS, who was represented by the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, expressed heartfelt feelings over the ordeals of maritime workers, especially in the truck haulage community under the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).
While commending the maritime workers’ union as a strategic organisation in the port sector and the nation’s economy, the Customs boss admonished the union to employ more diplomatic approaches in conflict resolution rather than shutting the ports.
Delivering the CGC’s message, Comptroller Olomu acknowledged the difficulties faced by maritime workers and assured them of the Customs’ commitment to resolving their concerns.
He, however, noted that the Customs CG had personally called twice today (Thursday) to confirm that the delegation had arrived at the MWUN secretariat, a testament to his deep concern for the matter.
On his part, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, thanked that Customs boss for the historic visit as it was the first time the MWUN received a Customs CG delegation at the secretariat.
Adeyanju, who is also Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reassured that the MWUN isn’t a strike-action monger, but a group that loves Nigeria, only resorting to strike actions when all other options fail.
While listing the challenges being faced by maritime truck owners, the President General of MWUN expressed delight that the threat of shutting down the port over the matter has elicited commendable interventions by stakeholders and regulatory authorities.
Comrade Adeyanju noted that trucks belonging to AMATO members are being impounded by some agents of government over the quality of trucks and levied colossal amounts as penalties.
Although he appreciated the need for quality trucks, the union leader maintained that most of the AMATO members are unable to purchase new trucks due to the huge costs amid the current economic hardships.
“Demanding payments of N400,000 to N500,000 for impounded trucks is unfair, especially when such actions are carried out without proper consultations with stakeholders. The government should engage the union and other key players before implementing enforcement measures,” Comrade Adeyanju said.
In his remarks, the AMATO President, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, thanked the NCS leadership for reaching out to sympathize and intervene in the plight of truckers.
Ogungbemi assured that truckers would honour the thoughtful gesture from the Customs and emphasized that the group would give peace a chance to allow for more dialogue.
