No Room For Unionism In Lekki Deep Seaport, MWUN, ITF Warned

Operators of the $1.5bn Lekki Deep Seaport has warned the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and International Transport Federation (ITF) that there won’t be any room for unionism when the new deep seaport commences operations anytime soon.

Speaking on Tuesday when the leadership of MWUN and ITF visited the Lekki port, the Environmental Manager of Lekki port, Mr. Adurayemi Ogundele said according to the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) law, under which the free trade zone and the deep seaport operates, it does not give room for unionisation of workers and as such the workers may not enjoy the privilege of being unionised.

Speaking specifically, the Lekki port official said, “for the unions, by NEPZA Act I have been privileged to read a couple of what is written there for free trade zones. There is nothing like unionisation as I speak. I have spent 10 years here and I have never heard of union. So I don’t know how this will be worked out. So for now there is nothing like unionisation of workers” he declared.

However, responding, the President General of the MWUN, Com. Adewale Adeyanju,said a port is a port and as such workers at the deep seaport will be unionised. He stated there is nothing like a free trade zone when it comes to unionisation of workers