By Uzor Odigbo
Two unions from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have condemned the recent attack on the Managing Director of the agency , Hadiza Bala-Usman at the National Assembly, even as plans have been concluded to take a firm position on controversial Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) issues.
The unions, namely the NPA branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOG), NPA branch, maintained that issue of workers has been properly handled by the leadership of the agency and must not be connected with politics.
President, NPA branch of MWUN, Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli who made this known on Wednesday, during an award ceremony in Lagos, noted that the labour groups are totally against the embarrassing moment by the unknown groups on the Managing Director of the agency.
While criticising the attack on the NPA boss, Mazeli stated that the unions must take a decision whenever issues affecting the organization are not properly handled.
Mazeli further berated the National Assembly for failing to provide adequate security on ground in protecting lives and property within the vicinity, adding that Hadiza Bala Usman was invited for official duties to the floor of the house and not for jamborees.
Mazeli who was honoured by Transport Media Outfit, maintained that the unions cannot stay aloof when issues bordering on the leadership of NPA are at stake.
According to him, the NPA workers will continue to stand by the current MD of the agency and will not give room for any individuals or groups to embarrass her.
He noted that attack on the Managing Director of NPA was pure politicised , calling on the agitators to separate politics from meaningful national issue.
“She went to the National Assembly because of issues affecting us the workers and not for jamborees. Therefore, how can we not stand for her when issues like this are in the front burner.
“The NPA branch of MWUN and the entire workforce has looked at this matter and we are condemning that action.
“If it’s politically motivated well, we don’t know but the story everywhere is about her and she is the MD of NPA and not because she is Hadiza Bala Usman as an individual.
“This is something that affects us and the people involved should know that we are not pleased with their actions.
“ I am not a politician and I don’t want to be one tomorrow but what we are saying is that what is condemnable is condemnable and what is wrong is wrong.
“This is purely embarrassing and intimidation on our leader and we cannot fold our hands when things are not done the right way.
“And we will continue to stand by our MD Hadiza Bala Usman.”
Reacting on the position of the unions on the controversies rocking Secure Anchorage Area SAA, Mazeli maintained that policies are made by the government to favour and dis-favour groups or individuals, adding that criticism must come with facts, reasons and evidence.
He argued: “If we as a union have reasons to support for or against on the secure Anchorage then we will make our position known very soon because we will come out with facts.
“The union is studying the issue of secure anchorage critically because its raising a whole lot of dust at the moment and we will take a position on this at the right time but what we are saying is that we should separate issues from individuals.”
Meanwhile, Mazeli who bagged two leadership awards at the National Secretariat of the union promised to engage management of issues bothering on junior workers of the NPA.