The Incorporated Trustees of the National Association of Plants Operators (NAPO) has approached the National Industrial Court in Abuja, seeking several orders, including one directing the Registrar of Trade Unions to issue a certificate of registration to represent the interests of its members—plant operators in Nigeria—without further delay.
NAPO, alongside its president, Comrade Harold Bestowe and other members, through their counsel, Ifeanyi Egwuasi, appeared before the President of the NICN, Justice B. B. Bakwaph Kanyip, on Thursday.
They sought protection from alleged victimization and urged the court to compel the authorities to grant their registration request.
In the association’s two suits, the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Registrar of Trade Unions were listed as defendants in NICN/ABJ/165/2024, while Daewoo Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited (DECN), Saipem Construction Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture & Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), Civil Construction Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police (IG), and others were named as defendants in NICN/ABJ/166/2024.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, A.O. Igeh, Esq., announced an appearance for the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture, and Wood Workers, seeking to join NAPO’s suit against the Labour Minister.
This request was not opposed by the claimants.
The judge granted the application, joining the union as a third defendant in the suit.
He directed that all processes be amended to reflect the order and served on the union.
After the court session, NAPO’s president, Harold Bestowe, expressed optimism about the success of the suits, urging members to remain focused and united.