The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has suspended port operations throughout the country following the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to go on strike.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has suspended port operations throughout the country following the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to go on strike.
Our reporter gathered that action affected port formations, including those in Port Harcourt, Warri, Onne, Calabar, except Lagos ports.
Workers in Lagos Ports were said to be awaiting further directive from the national organized labour leadership on the next line of action.
The uncertainty in the Ports hovers as domestic flights were disrupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, leaving passengers were stranded
.
Passengers who were on the ground to board their flights were shut out of the terminal buildings of the airport.
No flight was allowed to take off nor land at the airport at the time of filing this report.
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Several flights were cancelled. A journalist who was affected by the flight disruption, narrated his ordeal as a result of the exercise. He wrote, “My flight was for 7am. I checked in and was in the departure lounge before strike enforcers arrived”.
An airline, United Nigeria while announcing the disruption of flight said it was due to the strike.
The statement by its management on Monday reads: “We regret to inform you that due to the strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates, airports across the country have been shut down.
“As a result, none of our scheduled flights has been permitted to depart the airport, significantly affecting our services and operations.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may cause to your travel plans. Please rest assured that we are actively monitoring the situation to evaluate its impact on our operations and will provide updates accordingly.”
An Executive of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) who didn’t want to be named confirmed the flight disruption to our reporter.
He said: “No flight has left Abuja and none has landed. All passengers are outside the terminal building. Some passengers have started returning home because some airlines have announced cancellation.”
“NUATE works with instruction and if the mother body asks us to open the airport for flight operations, we will open but without instruction from NLC, the strike is indefinite.
