31 years of waiting: MWUN seeks payment of NNSL Seafarers’ entitlements before it’s too late

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the payment of outstanding pensions and other entitlements owed former seafarers of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), warning that advancing age and deteriorating health are making the prolonged wait increasingly unbearable.

The union said many of the affected seafarers, who served the country at sea for several years, have waited for 31 years since the national shipping line ceased operations, with some dying before receiving the benefits due to them.

MWUN’s Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, in a statement, said the affected retirees had undergone a verification exercise about three years ago at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Sports Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos, under the leadership of the union’s then President-General, Comrade Prince (Dr) Adewale Adeyanju, and his executive council, with the guidance of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The verification, according to the union, raised hopes among the aged seafarers that their long-standing claims would finally be resolved. However, years later, many are still waiting for payment.

MWUN said the situation had become particularly distressing because of the age and health conditions of many of the retirees. It said some had died, while others were incapacitated, hospitalised or unable to afford basic medical treatment.

According to the union, some surviving retirees are now forced to rely on self-medication, while others are living in difficult conditions, including homelessness and dependence on hand-to-mouth survival.

Comrade Bunu

The current President-General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has continued to pursue the matter since assuming office, building on efforts initiated by his predecessor.

Bunu, who has repeatedly received groups of the aged seafarers at the union’s headquarters on Osho Drive, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, has been updating them on the union’s engagements with the Federal Government and relevant ministries and agencies in Abuja.

He assured the retirees that the union remained committed to securing a resolution to the matter, urging them to remain patient and resilient while efforts continued.

The MWUN President-General stressed that the affected seafarers had spent years serving Nigeria and deserved to receive their legitimate wages, pensions and other benefits.

The union appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to treat the matter with urgency, noting that time was no longer on the side of many of the beneficiaries.

It said the prolonged delay had already taken a heavy toll, with some retirees reportedly suffering blindness, stroke and other debilitating conditions, while some now depend on wheelchairs for mobility.

Bunu said retirement should not become a period of despair for people who had spent their productive years serving the country.

Placard carrying NNSL Seafarers in 2019

He appealed to the government to ensure that the aged former NNSL workers could enjoy the fruits of their labour while they were still alive.

“Life after retirement is worth living,” Bunu said, urging the government to put smiles on the faces of the affected seafarers before it becomes too late.

The union said resolving the 31-year-old claims would not only provide financial relief to the surviving beneficiaries but also demonstrate government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians who dedicated their working lives to national service.