Maritime Workers Urge Federal Govt To Dredge Eastern Ports To Avert Flooding

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called on the federal government to dredge the Calabar, Warri and Portharcourt Ports to avert incidences of flooding across the country.

This call was made by the president-general, MWUN, Com. Adewale Adeyanju, when he paid a courtesy call on the minister of Transportation, Engr Mu’azu Sambo.

Adeyanju informed that they came on a courtesy visit to congratulate the minister on his appointment and discuss some important matters bothering the association.

According to him, dredging the Calabar, Warri and Portharcourt Ports will forestall the flooding being being witnessed across the country, especially, Lokoja axis in Kogi State.

Adeyanju, however, called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to speed up the process of issuance of Biometric Identity Cards to dockworkers and Seafarers Identification Document (S.I.D) to Seafarers to checkmate the influx of unauthorised persons at the Ports.

Responding, the minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, stated that, maritime workers are vital not only to the maritime industry but to  Nigeria’s economy as a whole.

The minister, who noted that his tenure is short and would require their support, advice and guidance to enable him leave legacy projects before his tenure terminates on May 29, 2023.

According to Mu’azu: “if we deliver on our promises before the end of this administration, we would have left some legacies for Nigerians. On the other hand, those we didn’t achieve will a foundation for others to build on.”

Speaking further, the minister informed the Union that he is part and parcel of the maritime industry, having started his public service career with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He acknowledged that sheer providence has brought him back to the sector, hence, he has no reason to tell Nigerians that he recorded not a single achievement while at the helm of affairs in Transportation Ministry