WMD 2025: MWUN PG calls for protection of the sea

As Nigeria and the rest of the world celebrate 2025 World Maritime Day (WMD) today Thursday, September 26, the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has enjoined maritime stakeholders to protect the sea.

Comrade Francis Bunu Abi said if the sea is not properly protected against pollution, it would destroy our sea food and make both local and international sea trade less attractive in all ramifications.

The Union leader stated this in his statement to mark the celebration by the Union, saying with emphasis “therefore, we must be able to protect our nature for the benefit of mankind.”

The theme of the celebration is “Our Ocean, Our obligation, Our Opportunity”. This theme, however, emphasizes the crucial roles of the ocean, the global economy and climate, the possibility of the universal maritime community to protect it; and the potential sustainable practices to benefit mankind.

This year’s IMD has all it takes, given from the theme, which emphasizes on the ocean as a global natural creature offering jobs, trade, food, biodiversity and climate regulation for humanity.

The MWUN PG advised Nigeria and regulator on the need for climate change regulations, which has been a regular global topic by various governments of the world on the need for a proper enforcement of adopted regulations, the protection of our global environment  from hazardous emissions into the world space.

He said all the terminals and  quay aprons must always be cleaned at all times to avoid waste products, such as, sharp objects, bottles, and exhausted soft drink bottles and the likes slipping into the sea as these are also agents of pollution on our waters with health implications on sailors on board and port operators ashore as well.

According to him, “we are the only ones who can protect our ocean, which is our heritage, our pride and our joy, and that irrespective of colour, tribe, descent and nationality, the ocean is ours globally; therefore, we must protect our own always.

“In view of all that the ocean benefits mankind, we must protect it by abiding by all the set international rules, obligation and standards to make sure it thrives for the benefits of humanity.”