By Seun Ibiyemi

Economic and commercial activities at the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports as well as other ports across the country were paralyzed on Monday as the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) joined the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The strike, which began indefinitely, is in protest of the federal government’s failure to conclude on the national minimum wage and refusal to reverse the new electricity tariff.

It was gathered that commercial activities at the ports are currently at a standstill with the Apapa and Tin-Can Island port gates locked resulting in a crowd gathering outside the port as staff members were denied entry.

Port users, were also prevented from accessing their offices, thereby causing disruptions to the supply chain. The President, NPA Branch of MWUN, Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli confirmed to our correspondent that the ports were grounded in compliance with the NLC directive and would remain so until the strike is called off.

“The ports are currently shutdown and this will continue until the strike last, ” he said.

Also speaking, President of Dockworkers branch of MWUN, Comrade Ibrahim Ohize said vessels are not allowed to berth and no trucks are permitted to go in or leave the port.

“The strike is ongoing and it is indefinate, affecting all ports in the country including Warri, Port Harcourt and Onne, ” he said.

Ohize stressed that the Union is complying with the NLC’s directive and they are awaiting instructions from the leadership of the various unions who are currently in Abuja.

“We are standing solidly behind the NLC and we will not bayanack down until our demands are met, ” he said.

Some youths of Asta community, a suburb of Makurdi early hours of Monday blocked the road that leads to Joseph Sawuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in Benue, to protest an attack by suspected herders.

The blockage of the road prevented the movement of particularly motorists.

A resident of the area who spoke to our correspondent said that the blockage was to vent their anger on the attack by suspected herdsmen on the community, which led to various degrees of injury sustained by people in the community.

The resident, who identified himself as Dave, said that the suspected herders invaded the community at about 1:00 am on Monday.

The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has urged workers’ unions to re-negotiate with the government on a new minimum wage rather than embarking on industrial action.

Mr. Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, emphasized this plea during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

In response to the nationwide strike declared by organized labor demanding a new minimum wage, Ifoh stressed that striking would only exacerbate existing hardships and suffering.

“Our immediate reaction is that the organized labor should not subject Nigerians to further hardship,” Ifoh stated. “Nigerians are already grappling with numerous challenges, and we do not need to worsen the situation.”

Ifoh expressed skepticism towards the demand for a N494,000 minimum wage, deeming it unrealistic and unsustainable for Nigeria’s economy. “It is a figure that cannot be sustained because it will imply that Nigeria will exhaust all its resources to pay civil servants,” he elaborated.

Instead, Ifoh urged continued engagement between the labor union and the federal government to reach a mutually acceptable figure. “Negotiation should persist until a more viable solution is reached,” he emphasized.

Highlighting the adverse effects of a nationwide strike, Ifoh warned of its impact on the cost of living and emphasized the necessity of finding a balance between workers’ demands and economic feasibility.

“If the federal government is reluctant to exceed a N60,000 minimum wage, organized labor should consider working within the available framework while continuing negotiations,” Ifoh suggested. “We recognize the government’s shortcomings and acknowledge its ongoing learning curve.”

Ifoh reiterated the LP’s stance against actions that could further burden Nigerians. “We stand against any measures that would exacerbate hardship,” he affirmed.