Maritime Workers, AMATO, NARTO Suspend Strike Action Following Apapa Customs Controller Visit
..As Customs CG Pledges to Join in Dialogue
Following an appeal by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) , the labour body and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have suspended their service withdrawal action from the ports
During a courtesy visit to the MWUN Secretariat with a delegation sent by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi led by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu the Controller of Apapa Area Command on 27th February, 2025 in Lagos, the delegation conveyed the Comptroller-General’s heartfelt sentiments and deep concern for the ordeals faced by maritime workers.
Olomu, who met with the President General of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju acknowledged the strategic role maritime workers play in the nation’s economy and expressed commitment to helping in resolving the issues raised by the union.
He emphasised that maritime workers are crucial to revenue generation and trade facilitation, contributing significantly to the N6.1 trillion generated by the service last year.
Olomu also disclosed that Comptroller-General has initiated engagements with stakeholders to address the union’s concerns and pleaded with the MWUN to reconsider the planned strike, which could have far-reaching consequences for the nation.
“I’m here today as a representative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, who has asked me to convey a crucial message to the President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union. The CGC wants to assure you that he’s committed to resolving the issues affecting maritime workers, and has already begun engaging with relevant stakeholders to address these concerns.
“If we were to allocate a fair share of the revenue generated, it’s clear that maritime workers deserve a significant portion, as their contributions are indispensable to our operations. The truth is, we cannot fulfill our roles in revenue generation and trade facilitation without the vital input of maritime workers.
“The CGC is eager to find a solution that benefits everyone involved, and is confident that these issues can be resolved within a short timeframe. I’m asked to plead with you, on behalf of the CGC, to reconsider withdrawing your services and shutting down the port. This would be detrimental to the nation’s interest, and we urge you to think of the greater good.”
Adeyanju thanked the Customs boss for the historic visit as it was the first time the union has ever received a delegation from the CG at the secretariat.
Adeyanju also has reaffirmed its commitment to the nation, emphasising that it only resorts to strike actions as a last resort. According to him, the union was forced to consider strike actions due to the challenges faced by maritime truck owners as trucks belonging to the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) are being seized by government agents due to quality concerns, resulting in substantial penalties and AMATO members are struggling to purchase new trucks due to the high costs and current economic difficulties.
Despite these challenges, the MWUN President General expressed optimism that the threat of a port shutdown has prompted stakeholders and regulatory authorities to take notice and intervene and the union is committed to finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.
Adeyanju also stressed that maritime workers’ concerns are longstanding, particularly regarding wages and welfare. He pointed out the disparity between the revenue generated by Customs and the meager salaries of port workers, despite their vital role in the economy.
Adeyanju argued that workers should not have to plead for fair compensation, noting that port workers are essential contributors to the nation’s economic growth and not slaves. He urged for a more equitable share of the revenue generated by Customs to reflect the workers’ critical role in the maritime industry.
“The maritime workers of Nigeria appreciate your prompt response to our concerns. We assure you that we will follow due process in resolving our grievances. We have already initiated this process by requesting the government to address our problems. Your decision to send a high-powered delegation to meet with us demonstrates your commitment to finding a solution. We commend you for this gesture and will continue to hold you in high esteem as one of the best CGs appointed by Mr. President.
“It’s unjust to demand payments ranging from N400,000 to N500,000 for seized trucks, particularly when such actions are taken unilaterally without adequate stakeholder engagement. The government should collaborate with the union and other critical stakeholders before enforcing regulatory measures.”
In a joint resolution signed by General secretaries of MWUN, AMATO and NARTO, the bodies have announced suspension of their service withdrawal action which was about grounding port activities nationwide
