Maritime workers have announced plans to withdraw their services at terminal facilities in Lagos ports due to the Federal Government’s failure to revamp the deteriorating quay apron, which is threatening operations and workforce safety.

The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Dr Adeyanju Adewale, made this known during a press briefing in Apapa, where he assessed the maritime sector’s performance over the past eight years.

Adewale expressed concern over the collapsed quay apron at Tin Can Island and Five Star Logistics Terminal in Lagos ports, lamenting that despite changes in government, port management issues remain largely unaddressed.


He recalled that discussions on port rehabilitation have been ongoing for years, with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) seeking funds to commence the project. However, no investor has come forward to finance the repairs needed.

He criticised the NPA for abandoning the facilities for four years, warning that the neglect has endangered workers’ lives and led to declining productivity due to hazardous working conditions.

“The quay apron is nothing to write home about. If urgent action is not taken, our members may soon be unable to work in that terminal due to the poor conditions,” he warned.

Adewale referenced previous commitments by the NPA, stating that former Managing Director Mohammed Bello-Koko had assured stakeholders that a major rehabilitation contract had been awarded. However, he questioned the project’s progress, noting that the ports remain outdated despite promises made last year.

Comparing Nigeria’s ports to those in neighbouring countries, he pointed out that even smaller ports in Cotonou, Benin Republic, have superior infrastructure.

He urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritise port modernisation to prevent Nigeria from falling further behind in regional maritime competitiveness.


https://guardian.ng/business-services/maritime/maritime-workers-to-suspend-operations-at-lagos-port-over-collapsed-quay-apron/