Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a significant development, various trucking associations and unions operating within the port system have come together to establish a lasting peace, following recent violent clashes at the Tin Can Island Port.
The peace agreement was reached during a stakeholders meeting held on Tuesday at the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) headquarters in Olodi Apapa, Lagos, convened at the instance of the Port Authority Police Commissioner.
The meeting addressed the recent mayhem at Tin Can Port involving clashes between truckers and members of the Lagos State Cargo and Transport Committee (LASTCOC).
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, emphasized the importance of due process and the rule of law in the regulated port area. He clarified that the union supports collaboration but insisted on adherence to established protocols.
“The port is a regulated area, if you want to operate there, you must have a legitimate business, it is not a garage where you can use it for your selfish interest.
“It is good to have collaborations, that’s why today we have NARTO, NAMTOP and MWUN. I don’t want us to put our mind on the Lagos State for now, these three prominent bodies are the only collaboration that we have introduced to all stakeholders in the Port, we have the backing of the authorities
“Our Union is not against the Lagos State Committee (LASTCOC) but due process must be followed, we are not saying that we would not work with them, however the rule of law that established the port must be followed”
Comrade Adeyanju highlighted an existing Memorandum of Understanding among port associations under the umbrella of NAMTOP, assuring stakeholders of the unity within the collaboration.
He expressed concern about external forces causing trouble at the port and pledged the full involvement of the maritime workers union in maintaining peace.
“We have responsible workers that can support this collaboration, so we don’t need any external forces from Ijora, Idi-Oro, Akala, Mushin to come and ferment trouble at the port
“This collaboration is born out of the need to protect the business of truck owners from constant extortion by security agencies on the port corridor. But our annoyance is now the incessant attacks at the port
“Two years ago, we lost four of our members as a result of this representative of Lagos State Government bringing external forces to attack the port
“The maritime workers union would be fully factored into this collaboration, I have appealed to all the dockworkers and our haulage unit that they should allow peace to reign. But if anyone tries to introduce hooliganism into the collaboration, we shall pullout” he said
Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi while speaking called for efforts to achieve permanent peace at the port and addressed the need to address the court injunction obtained by MWUN.
“As we are talking of peace let’s also work to achieve it. Let’s not do anything to hurt our fellow human being.
“WAs one of the foremost elder in the industry, Let us work towards a peace that would be permanent. I am appealing to everyone of us because there are issues to be addressed” he said
Otunba Leye Thompson emphasized the significance of a strong bond between truckers and MWUN for progress as NAMTOP are now a unified body of all truckers in the port and that it constitutes about nine bodies that make it up.
“We are now a unified body of all the truckers in the port. It constitute if nine body that add it up together and not the other mushroom body”
“It is important that truckers and MWUN form a strong bond, without that bond, we cannot head anywhere,” he said.
Alhaji Lukman Shittu Zangalo, Chairman of LASTCOC, acknowledged the unity between MWUN and truckers, expressing optimism about successful collaboration between LASTCOC and NAMTOP.
“There is no need for us fighting ourselves because both the MWUN and the truckers, we are one. I am the Chairman of LASTCOC and I am also the chairman of NAMTOP, this is me wearing two caps.
“I believe that with LASTCOC and our own NAMTOP, with the support of our President General and the elders, everything would be resolved and we shall work together successfully” he said.
Various stakeholders, including Maroof Raheem BOT of NAMTOP, Alhaji Ishola Salami, and Ojo Alex representing the Port Police Commissioner, also shared their perspectives during the meeting. The consensus among the diverse stakeholders reflects a collective commitment to resolving issues and fostering a cooperative environment at the Tin Can Island Port.