Onne Port workers threaten shutdown over roads, levies

Maritime workers, licensed customs agents, and youth groups at Onne Port in Rivers State have threatened to shut down operations if their demands regarding port infrastructure and levies are not met. The unions issued a four-day ultimatum to the federal government, calling for the immediate cessation of E-Call Up levies and the repair of the port's internal roads.

Uche Ogbu, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Eastern Port, announced the threat during a joint press conference with the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne youths, and other stakeholders. Ogbu highlighted that the poor condition of the Onne internal roads and the disorganized truck queuing system for E-Call Up levies are hindering smooth business operations at the port.

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We are the people carrying the burden of the E-Call Up levies. We the maritime workers in collaboration with other stakeholders and Onne communities are going to down tool from Monday.

Ogbu alleged that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has failed to provide designated loading bays for trucks entering the port, despite repeated appeals from stakeholders. He stressed that operating the E-Call Up system without proper loading bays poses a significant danger to port users. The dilapidated roads and haphazard truck management further exacerbate the risks to the lives of those working and conducting business at the port.

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We want to draw the attention of government about the poor state of the facilities where we do our businesses.

The ultimatum expires on Monday, July 17th. Ogbu stated that if the government fails to act, the unions, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will cease all business activities at the port. "We are going to down tool from Monday," he declared, adding that they will ensure the E-Call Up operations are stopped. He promised, "We are going to stop the E-Call Up operations by Monday I am promising you that."

Addressing the operational challenges, Ogbu mentioned that the NPA claims to receive insufficient allocations from the Ministry of Maritime and Blue Economy to cover overhead costs, let alone infrastructure projects. He stated that while the NPA generates revenue, it is remitted directly to the federal government. The NPA's role, according to Ogbu, is to inform the federal government about the state of infrastructure at the Eastern Port. He urged the NPA to communicate the plight of the port users to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Presidency through appropriate channels.

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We are going to stop the E-Call Up operations by Monday I am promising you that.