Maritime workers, terminal operator trade blame over accident

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and Five Star Logistics Terminal, located at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos, have started trading words over the terminal’s working conditions.

While the MWUN President, Adewale Adeyanju, lamented the poor working conditions at the Five Star Logistics Terminal, the terminal refuted the claims, saying that it maintains a high safety standard.

Recall that tragedy struck on Christmas Day at the Five Star Logistics Terminal when a crane crushed a dockworker onboard a vessel, killing the port worker instantly.

Speaking on the incident, Adeyanju, blamed the dockworker’s death on negligence by the terminal operator and the stevedoring contractor.

According to him, stevedoring is a global profession with standards and not factory work.

“You have a vessel that requires close to 50 to 60 men working, yet there is only one supervisor onboard overseeing them. How can the supervisor monitor activities at the front, middle, and back simultaneously? Is he a robot?” he queried.

Adeyanju accused the terminal operator of anti-labor practices, adding that many workers were wearing bathroom slippers instead of safety boots.

“Many were not wearing overalls or helmets. This is unacceptable. The terminal has two supervisors responsible for managing the crane, but none was on duty. This is pure negligence,” he said.

The MWUN mentioned that most terminal operators do not prioritize workers’ welfare, “only a few understand the importance of safety. We are talking about human lives. A responsible company would have already provided a clear explanation of what transpired.”

Adeyanju further criticised the terminal’s stevedoring contractor for assigning only one supervisor onboard and onshore for a large vessel operation.

Meanwhile, in his response, the Customs Care Manager of Five Star Terminal, Chuks Okereafor, said that the terminal maintains high safety standards.

“We maintain high safety standards. Four stevedoring companies operate in Five Star Logistics Terminal and none of the stevedoring companies has ever accused the terminal of anti-labor. We enforce the wearing of PPE. If you move around the terminal, there are notices at designated points,” Okereafor said.

When asked what led to the death of the dockworker he said, “I am on leave and have no full details of what led to the accident.”