The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a stern warning to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding (CRFFN), threatening to withdraw its services from ports and jetties if the council fails to pay its members their outstanding nine-month salary arrears.
The union expressed deep concern over the ongoing financial crisis at CRFFN and accused the management of disregarding its repeated requests for salary payments. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the matter through ultimatums and mediation meetings, the council has consistently ignored the union’s demands.
MWUN Deputy Secretary-General Oniha Erazua emphasized the union’s commitment to protecting the welfare of its members and warned that the situation could escalate into a full-blown industrial crisis. He stated that the council’s management has prioritized other expenses over staff salaries, despite a clear agreement to allocate available funds to pay staff first.
The union’s threat to withdraw services would have a significant impact on the maritime sector, affecting operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labor, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, and seamen across the country.
A source close to CRFFN confirmed the union’s claims, revealing that the council has been facing financial difficulties since being removed from the budget in January. The source stated that despite promises to pay salaries, many staff members have yet to receive their dues.
Attempts to reach the acting Registrar of CRFFN for a comment were unsuccessful.
