Members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), popularly called ‘dockworkers’ Tin Can Island Port branch, Lagos, have promised to ensure that peace reigns in the industry.
They said industry unrest would not arise ahead of the forthcoming union’s election.
The dockworkers under Tin Can Island Port District 1 gave the assurance while briefing newsmen on the union election scheduled to hold in March.
Chairman in charge of District 1, Tin Can Island Port, Comrade Sharafadeen Oguntoyinbo, said that past elections were marred by some crises, which often disrupted port operations, but assured that 2021 election would be peaceful.
Oguntoyibo noted that Tin Can Island had recorded pockets of violence during election processes, but added that maritime operations would not be hampered due to structures put in place by the present leadership of the union, in collaboration with the district and units.
“You will agree with me that during this period of elections in the past, there used to be some level of anxiety and distraction because of interests.
“But since the election that brought in the present President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, there has been peace in all the seaports and that is what we all have agreed to sustain.
“We the grass-root dockworkers have agreed among ourselves to ensure that peace and harmony reign in the system and that is why we all agreed to protect the port from any form unrest.
“The seaports are the gateway to the nation’s economy, therefore we must not encourage any form of violence during elections as it were in the past.
The dockworker reiterated that maritime union would continue to ensure industrial peace and tranquility despite the election for the overall interest of the economy.
A cross section of the unit chairmen also reaffirmed that issues of hooliganism and violence during elections were a thing of the past.
