MWUN, SSASCFA pledge to work for shipping development

The President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing & Forwarding Agency (SSASCFA), Comrade Harrison Ugochukwu Asonye, has commended the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi for his ongoing innovation of the Union and the huge transformation of the dockworkers.

Comrade Harrison gave this commendation when he, in company of his executives, visited Comrade Francis Bunu Abi at the MWUN headquarters at Olodi Apapa, Lagos, recently.

Recalling his visits to the Union during the regimes of the past Presidents – General of the Union, Harrison expressed optimism that Comrade Bunu achievements would surpass achievements of his predecessors, going by his foresight, determination with rare commitment to duty.

The PG of SSASCFA said his visit to the Union was to rekindle the Association’s longtime relationship with the Maritime Workers’ Union as the Association could not operate in isolation, noting that the existing cordial relationship must be reawakened for operational efficiency, with a stronger tie under the current leadership of the Union.

Comrade Bunu thanked the PG of the SSASCFA for the visit, which he described was in good path of honour, faith in the Union and timely too.

He reminded Comrade Harrison that the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria has the junior cadre of the shipping representation, noting that there has been a disconnect between the two arms of the shipping representations.

Bunu further said that there are some shipping companies where the Union is and the Senior Staff Association is not, saying it has been a huge gap that must be closed for industrial growth and success in the sector. “And in view of that lapses, the both shipping arms would collaborate in genuine synergy for membership drive, and that is by means of unionization of such shipping outfits, where there are such lapses for the interest of the employees and employers relationship in the sector. And by so doing, there would be greater strength in both the Union and the Association,” said Bunu.

The foremost maritime labour leader in the country, Comrade Bunu assured the Association of his unwavering commitment and the Union’s support towards this noble objective of rekindling the relationship between the two bodies for expected mutual benefits, progress and development of the maritimer industry.

He, however, reiterated his total commitment and cooperation to the Association, while encouraging Comrade Harrison, whom he described as his personal friend, to be rest assured of the Union’s open door at all times, and feel free to approach any of his national secretaries each time there are issues of mutual interest for discussion.