Comrade Bunu Leads MWUN delegation to Warri Port, emphasizes safety

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) leadership, led by President-General Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, Monday 22 met with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) management at Warri Port, focusing on pressing safety concerns and accident prevention within the port premises.

The MWUN received by the General Manager of Warri NPA Mrs. Stella Onyemeli Obiageli, on arrival at Warri Port in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta region as part of a routine tour of the nation’s port facilities expressed satisfaction with existing conditions.

Interacting with NPA workers, they stressed the imperative of adhering to safety rules, guidelines and regulations to maintain stringent safety standards within the port premises, highlighting concerns over recurring workplace accidents among port workers. The Maritime Union’s top leader emphasized that the frequency of accidents at the port is unacceptable and must cease, noting Warri Ports has recorded the highest incident count.

In an e-signed release by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN, Comrade Abi expressed deep concern over Warri Port’s high incident rate, urging strict adherence to safety standards to prevent workers from suffering injuries or permanent disabilities, stressing the mantra “Safety, Safety, Safety” must guide operations.

The MWUN leader called for reactivating tally clerks and onboard gangway security, 24-hour surveillance, and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code to enhance port security and safety.

Comrade Bunu commended Warri Port management for resilience and commitment, expressing confidence in their ability to improve security, while workers were admonished to maintain diligence and obey safety rules.

The PG said, “By this visit, am quite certain Warri Port is definitely going to achieve greater heights in terms of security and safety.”

He further admonished the workers to keep the pace of work in Warri stressing that security and safety can only work when both management and workers obey all safety rules without prejudice.

NPA Warri General Manager Mrs. Stella Onyemeli Obiageli appreciated the MWUN visit, praying for Comrade Abi and his team’s safe return, as both parties emphasized collaboration for enhanced port safety and operations.