MWUN suspends proposed industrial action over Apapa gridlock
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Monday confirmed suspension of its proposed industrial action to protest the perennial traffic gridlock along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
It would be recalled that the Union had issued a notice to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministries of Transportation, and Works and Housing to call to order some Shipping Companies allegedly responsible for the perennial gridlock along the road leading to the ports.
The Union had mentioned the shipping companies -Maersk Line, PIL, MSC, MOL/ONE (Ocean Network Express) COSCO, CMA-CGM and Alraine Nig. Ltd as responsible for the gridlock.
However, in a statement signed by the President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and the Secretary General, Comrade Felix Akingboye, the Union disclosed that it had made a headway in addressing the issue at a meeting with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH), while hoping that other relevant authorities would be at its next meeting.
“We are delighted to say that on Wednesday, 11th November, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing represented by Engineer A.O. Oye, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos met with the Union and the representatives of the alleged Shipping Companies at its Tafawa Balewa, Lagos office to discuss and proffer solution(s) to the intractable gridlock on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
“The meeting was cordial and fruitful but noted the need to expand same to include the representation of some key stake holders like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and the Terminal Operators.
“Consequently, the meeting was adjourned and the Controller of Works & Housing, Engineer A.O. Oye gave assurance of the presence of the representatives of the above-mentioned organisations/Agencies at the next meeting which shall come up not later than the middle of December, 2020,” the statement read.
