Bunu Calls for Biometric ID Cards for Dockworkers, Seafarers, as MWUN Excos Visit NIMASA
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, the President-General of the Union, in company of his national executives were in Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Thursday August 28, to pay the Director-General of the Agency and his executives a visit to discuss issues bothering on the union’s biometric identification cards for the Dockworkers and Seafararers branches of the Union’s bonafide members, who are legitimately working in the sector across all the seaports in the country.
A statement signed on Friday by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN quoted Comrade Bunu saying the biometric registration and identitification of all individuals union’s bonafide members employed by various employers of labour in the Maritime industry will definitely separate the legitimately employed Dockworkers and Seafararers from the illegal ones parading themselves and functioning as “Dockworkers and Seafararers” simultaneously as members of the Union, which does not portray MWUN in any good light.
The seasoned sailor and maritime expert, Comrade Bunu told the DG of NIMASA the importance of the biometric identification cards for the two branches of the Union, saying, for proper documentation, 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, prevent theft and pilfering of goods and consignments of owners, exporters and importers, which has been an impediment to a good business ports environment.
The Delta State born labour leader of MWUN also 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 Seafararers Recreation Center in Apapa choice location for the betterment of Seafararers each time, the sailors arrive ashore from sea; for 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 PG 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.
