MWUN Seeks for Biometric Card of Bonafide Dockworkers, Seafarers from NIMASA
Bisi Akingbade
The President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, in company of his national executives has approached Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NINASA, for biometric identification cards for bonafide Dockworkers and Seafarers who are legitimately working in the sector across all the seaports of the country.
Comrade Bunu made this plea during the courtesy visit on the Director General, Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and his executives.
He said the biometric registration and identification of all individual Union bonafide members employed by various employers of labour in the Maritime industry will definitely separate the legitimately employed Dockworkers and Seafarers from the illegal ones parading themselves and functioning as Dockworkers and Seafarers simultaneously as members of the Union, which does not portray MWUN in any good light.
In view of that, Comrade Bunu explained to the DG of NIMASA the importance of the biometric identification cards for the two branches of the Union, saying that for proper documentation of the Union's registered Dockworkers and Seafarers working in the seaports should be identified from the quacks as this measure will guarantee the ports some sort of safety, theft and pilfering of goods and consignments of owners, exporters and importers, which be an impediment to a good business ports environment.
Comrade Bunu promised Dr. Dayo Mobereola of NIMASA of the Union's usual maximum support and cooperation as it were, citing the longtime collaboration between the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and Maritime Workers Union on the need to build a Seafarers Recreation Center in Apapa choice of location for the betterment of Seafarers.
"Each time, the sailors arrive ashore from sea; sailors need quality life on land for recreation, which is an integral part of life. It will not only serve the Union members but as well the general public who may choose center, which of course would generate economic dividend for the Union.
Dr. Mobereola in his response assured the President General of the Union NIMASA's commitment towards the project which was struck with his predecessor; and promised that his administration will ensure that its quota to the laudable project will be honored as agreed on paper.
He thanked the Union for the purposeful visit while, congratulating Comrade Bunu for his landslide election victory; and hope to continue to witness a flourishing synergy between both significant bodies in the Maritime sector of Nigeria.
