One of the private terminal operators at the Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) in Lagos and an arm of the Sifax Group, Port & Cargo Handling Services Limited on Wednesday paid the family of one of its late dockworkers, Moses Gabriel Umeh, a compensation of N5 million.
A press release signed by the Head, Public Affairs of Sifax Group, Oliver Omajuwa, said the late Moses Gabriel Umeh died while on active service with the company.
“At a meeting held at the head office of Sifax Group, a cheque of five million naira was presented to the family, where all stakeholders were represented thus; Comrade Adewale Adayanju, president MWUN led the labor team, which included other officers from both the National and local chapters. NIMASA was also duly represented by Mahmud Zubairu and Ibrahim Umar Imam. Also present were representatives of the deceased’s family, led by Rev. Fr. Adolphus Umeh and Barr. Peter Ozobialu esq,” Omajuwa stated.
Omajuwa quoted the Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources of Sifax Group, Dr. Phil Ofulue, who led the Sifax team, as emphasizing the importance of life and safety in the workplace and also pleaded with the family to ensure that the compensation was fairly administered so that it won’t be a cause of rancor, bitterness and dispute within the family.
“He also stressed that no amount of money could compensate for the life of a human being, while also encouraging the MWUN on the need for proper documentation of the details of their members to alleviate the challenges usually faced when issues like this come up.
“Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in turn poured encomium on the way in which management of Sifax Group have been handling issues relating to the well-being and welfare of their members and advised other terminal operators and other segment of the maritime sector to emulate Sifax Group in putting human face to the management of workers and their operations. He also enjoined the family of the deceased to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the compensation.
“Responding on behalf of the family, Rev. Fr. Adolphus Umeh thanked Sifax Group and all stakeholders and promised that the proper thing will be done with the compensation.
“Dr. Phil Ofulue further informed the gathering that the cheque of N5m was in addition to the support the company gave the family of the deceased before, during and after the funeral,” Omajuwa stated.
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