MWUN, ITF provide COVID-19 safety palliatives to seafarers
Seafarers in the nation’s ports are getting full complement of materials to keep safe from the covid-19 spread.
The palliatives including hand sanitizers, hand gloves, face masks, infrared thermometers jointly provided by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Speaking on the initiative on Wednesday, President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, lauded the seafarers for continued commitment to their duties in spite of the risks of the spread of COVID-19.
He, however said that the primary focus of the Union at such a time as this, is foremost the protection of human health to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 in ports and amongst the Union members, the seafarers.
He said : “We are here today Comrades, to carry out the second phase of our programme involving the distribution of safety palliatives to seafarers such as hand sanitizers, hand gloves, face masks, infrared thermometers etc.in all ports starting with Lagos ports today and moving on to other ports including Calabar, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, Bonny next week.
“This programme was made possible through collaboration with the International Transport Workers Federation, who graciously provided counterpart grant/funding.”
Adeyanju said that it was the first time that the ITF would be collaborating with the MWUN, while they look forward to doing more such progressive activities together.
Giving a brief history of the ITF and expressing appreciation, the President General said that “the ITF to which our Union is affiliated, is a world confederation of transport unions with affiliates from about 157 countries spread through all continents of the world and a membership strength running into millions.
“We want to use this opportunity to thank the ITF for providing support in this most trying time. We thank also Bro. Steve Cotton- ITF General Secretary and his entire team for this awesome support to our teaming seafarers.”
He also noted that the first time the ITF family was brought into Nigeria in 1978 was through the effort of Comrade Joseph Abandoned, the then secretary of the defunct Dock Workers Union of Nigeria, under the Presidency of Chief Joshua Ogunleye.
