By Mitchelle Uzorka
The Council of Maritime Trucks Union Associations (COMTUA) has called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPA) and other security agencies operating in the Lagos ports to put an end to the illegal extortions at the ports.
To mark this year’s International Workers Day, the President of COMTUA, Adeyinka Aroyewun, stated this in his solidarity message to workers. He said as workers openly rejoice with their counterparts all over the world, it is unfortunate, that there is no prospect for a turnaround in Nigeria.
He said instead of celebrating life more abundant, Nigerian workers and their families are sadly languishing in all sorts of socio-economic deprivations, which are mainly characterised by the high rate of inflation, joblessness, dwindling incomes, decayed infrastructure, massive urban slum, poor social services, insecurity, rampant poverty, acute food shortages and mass hunger.
Aroyewun, said these sad and unbearable woes have not been helped by the acute absence of reliable electricity and other energy resources highly needed to power the nation’s ambitious quest for rapid economic growth and industrialisation. He said in the ports, which are the gateway to the nation’s economy, the overall scenario presents a troubling and disturbing reality.
He said regrettably, all manner of faceless groups and hoodlums have been unwittingly allowed to assume illegal roles, which see them brazenly engage in open extortions and criminal harassments of law abiding members of the truck and transport unions and other business stakeholders in the ports and its environs.
“COMTUA proudly salutes the indomitable spirit of our hardworking members in the maritime sector, as they joyously join the entire Nigerian workers, to celebrate the May Day, a worldwide work-free day, set aside to pay a well-deserved respect, to the inestimable sacrifices, heroism and industrial productivity of the international working class,” he added.
