By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG & NAOMI MGBAKOR

LAGOS – MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has given the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, management a 14-day ultimatum to pay dockworkers, tally clerks and on-board security their 16-month unpaid wages and other pending benefits or risk industrial action.

This came as  aggrieved dockworkers, who, Monday, downed tools over their 16 months unpaid wages, yesterday, suspended their action, following pleas and assurance by the leadership of MWUN, that NPA had agreed to pay up before month-end.

MWUN President-General, Mr. Nted Emmanuel, said, yesterday, that after the NPA management promised to pay the wages, the leadership of the union pleaded with the aggrieved workers to call off their nationwide action.

Emmanuel said following the suspension of the strike, the leadership of MWUN handed a 14-day ultimatum to NPA to pay all pending wages and allowances to ensure industrial peace.

It will be recalled that dockworkers had on Monday began a nationwide industrial action over their 16 months unpaid wages, among others.

Emmanuel, who gave the hint at a seminar on safety and security in the port, said NPA should be held responsible for the industrial action.