By Victor Ahiuma-Young

AS stakeholders yesterday battled to avert the planned strike by Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, over unpaid wages, the Federal Government, through Ministry of Transport, has written to the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to ensure immediate payment of the wages to avert industrial unrest in the nation’s ports.

The Ministry, in a letter to the Managing Director of NPA, dated August 4, 2015, and signed by S. U Galadanchi, Director (Maritime Services), on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, intimated the NPA Managing Director of the implication of any shutdown of the ports by organised labour.

Titled “ Planned abolition of the function of On-Board Security men and Tally Clerk (unit of Dockworkers), by the Nigerian Ports Authority: A clarion call”, the Director of Maritime Services, said: “I am directed to refer to your letter, ref. No. MD/10/FM/Vol.XX/247 dated July, 16, 2015 and our letters ref. Nos. T.0160/S.166/T/214 dated June 4, 2015 and T.01/60/5.166/T/217 dated July 14, 2015 respectively on the above subject/copies attached, and convey approval of the Permanent Secretary for you to effect payment to the twelve (12) Dock Labour Employers appointed by the Ministry vide letter No. T.3968/T.2/43 dated October 24, 2005 to supply Tally Clerks and On-board Security men in our Ports for services rendered under the contract.”