By Ugochukwu Ezuruike
Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has commended the Federal Government over its recent ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders.
Speaking at a news briefing at the headquarters of the union in Lagos this week, President General of MWUN, Comrade Anthony Nted Emmanuel, said that the policy would increase traffic in the ports, create jobs and enhance government revenue.
However, he appealed to Federal Government to give a month of grace to importers whose vehicles are trapped because of the policy so that they can clear them.
The union leader appealed to the government to have stakeholders meeting with Assembly plant and indigenous auto-manufacturing companies to identify and address the challenges of manufacturing of cars in the country.
Emmanuel lamented over the abandonment of the access roads to the ports which he said has been in the state of disrepair for several years despite the union’s relentless efforts at drawing the attention of government to address the situation.
“The roads have become death trap to every road user despite strong assurance from the Federal Government and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) that contract would soon be awarded. There is nothing on ground to show that the contract has been awarded,” he said.
Commenting on the difficulties in accessing forex, Comrade Emmanuel lamented that importers and manufacturers have found it extremely difficult to access foreign exchange and even when it is available, the cost is outrageous.
On the union 4th quadrennial delegate’s conference, he said that the National Administrative Council and Central Working Committee have approved the holding of the conference next month March in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state.
He explained that every constitutionally eligible member is free to vote and be voted for, adding that the union have officially been notified of availability of nomination forms to various national offices and election guidelines.
Emmanuel noted that campaign of calumny has been brought to the notice of the union and its leadership that some disgruntled elements and non-card carrying members have been spreading malicious and unfounded insinuation about the union leaders.
He added that the aim of the disgruntled elements is to create an impression of crisis in the union where there is none.
