As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)and Trade Union Congress(TUC) nationwide indefinite strike enters the second day, Port users have continually face denial of access into the Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Port in Apapa .
The strike which began on Tuesday resulted in a lull in port activities as members of affiliates unions in the maritime industry commenced implementation of the strike by encouraging their members and other port users to join in solidarity with the NLC.
When our reporter visited the Apapa port on Wednesday, the access gate was shut with over 200 persons at the entrance. While some labour representatives were enforcing their members’ compliance to the NLC directive, some port users who had come hoping to gain entrance to work were denied access.
It was gathered that all federal government agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, The Police and others were fully on ground to work but the movement of cargoes from the quayside, in and out of the ports have been grounded
As at press time, our reporter could not ascertain the level of impact the strike is having on government revenue but movement of trucks trying to access the ports through What Road and Creek Road were stalled.
Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria had on Monday urged all his union members to join the indefinite strike.
Adeyanju who is Deputy President and presently serving as Acting President of the NLC, also mobilised his menbers across ports, jetties and terminals to join the strike action following the assault and brutal attack on Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President in Owerri on November 1, 2023.
Mr Festus Osifo, President of Trade Union Congress(TUC), gave this indication at a joint news conference with the NLC on Monday in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the NLC had declared a protest in Imo, led by Ajaero on Nov. 1, over alleged anti-workers’ policies and non-payment of 20-month salary arrears by the state government.
Ajaero was attacked and brutalised in the state even though the police have refuted the claim.
NAN also recalled that the National Industrial Court had restrained organised labour from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.
According to Osifo, the two Labour unions have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of their joint National Executive Councils (NECs) that was held last week Tuesday.
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