2014 MWUN President-General, Tony Nted predicts doom for maritime industry
President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Anthony Nted, has said that 2014 will be a very difficult year for operators in the maritime industry due to unfriendly trade-related policies introduced by the federal government last year.
During an exclusive chat with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY in his office on Thursday, Nted said that the government made a serious mistake of increasing the tariff on imported rice, vehicles and frozen fish as these policies have turned out to be detrimental to the industry and to the nation as a whole.
He said the effect of the policies took a huge toll on port operations in 2013 and will hit the industry hard this year if not reviewed.
“This year will be a very difficult for those working in the industry, to be specific, the dockworkers. When the traffic is low they have no jobs. The terminal operators will also pay a price for it because they pay terminal charges as the government doesn’t care whether they work or not! The government is losing a lot of revenue as well,” the MWUN boss said.
He however assured that the Union will not fold its hands and watch the situation worsen as it has taken and will take more decisive measures to bring the consequencies of the policies to the attention of the government.
“We have sent a letter to the President and we are waiting to get a reply. We are Nigerians and are also involved in the governance. When it gets hard the best thing we’ll do is to withdraw the service of our members; to draw the attention of the government that the policy is inimical. The interest of the people is what the Union stands for,” Nted said.
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