By Bon Peters
Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Haulage District Eastern Zone, Onne, Rivers State has staged a peaceful protest at Onne to debunk what the union described as an alleged malicious and unfounded allegations of connivance and extortion levelled against the Union by a group they refer to as dissidents within their fold who according to them felt aggrieved over the commencement of Electronic Truck call- Up system otherwise known as E- Call Up at Onne Port.
The peaceful protest which started at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) Round-About with a motorcade on Monday morning Nov 17, 2025, proceeded with fanfare and dance to the Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) Onne and ended at the Notore Roundabout
The protesters, whom majority of them adored in white unionist attire, were also seen singing solidarity songs and dancing to the admiration of passersby.
Addressing journalists at the (FLT) Gate, NPA Onne, Port complex, the protesters led by their leaders said their motive for the protest was to put the record straight regarding a malicious and unfounded allegations levelled against them by a group known as Active Containers and Cargo Truck Drivers Association to the effect that MWUN colluded with NPA to extort their members through multiple taxation, lack of drivers warfare among others. Even as the group said they were no longer part of MWUN
Debunking the allegations, the Executive Chairman, Haulage District of Maritime workers Union Eastern ports, comrade Ugwu Adolphus said he would not have wasted his effort and that of other MWUN executives to react to the ranting of such an unknown group but to put the record straight.
"The purpose of our coming here today is to put the record straight and to debunk insinuations and malicious allegations spreading on social media that Maritime Workers Union haulage district connived with Nigerian Ports Authority to defraud drivers through E- Call up”
"I want to tell you that there is nothing like extortion here, Rather the Maritime Workers Union under my leadership as the executive chairman, has been doing everything to see that our drivers are well taken care of, especially with the commencement of the Electronic Truck call- Up system.
Continuing, Comrade Ugwu said “When the E-Call Up system was first introduced, we communicated our concerns to the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), highlighting that Onne Port’s unique operational conditions made the system unnecessary, as congestion is minimal here.
When the authorities insisted on its implementation, neither I nor the union had the power to halt a federal government policy.”
"But let me tell you some individuals approached me demanding that I should stop the E-Call Up rollout.”
“I told them that my influence was limited to the union’s scope hence we cannot override federal government directives,” he added.
The union leader dismissed claims and insinuations that MWUN colluded with NPA to extort truck drivers.
“The allegations of multiple taxation and extortion are false. Our union fees range from N5, 000 to N10, 000, all receipted and applicable nationwide.”
Addressing concerns over lack of welfare for workers, Ugwu said, “I challenge anyone to provide evidence of neglect. Our members receive medical treatment when sick; we fund hospital bills, provide befitting burials, and support those with permanent disabilities. "
Speaking further, Ugwu insisted those allegations were baseless and only arose due to the implementation of the E-Call Up system.”
He stressed that MWUN has no involvement in the E-Call Up program hence it was a brain child of the federal government and Nigerian Ports Authority.
"What they are doing is to give us bad names in order to hang us, but it will never Work " Ugwu enthused
Also speaking, the unit Chairman, Truck owners of Maritime workers Union, Comrade Uche Ogbu reiterated that their union was that of integrity, personality and responsibility.
He insisted that the essence of their union was to protect the rights and privileges of their members especially drivers which he noted they have done by negotiating a very robust haulage fare for the drivers in the Eastern Zone, wondering why some disgruntled elements should go about spreading rumours.
He added that the motive behind such fake information was to muscle down the power of the executives vowing that such would not happen .
He said E- call-up, was a government policy and that MWUN would never work against it.
“Union can't stop government policy but to negotiate."
On the E-call Up amount, Comrade Uche Ogbu said Onne at the moment is paying about N15, 000, unlike Lagos.
Ogbu however, lampooned those causing confusion insisting that they would fail.
For the unit Secretary, Truck owners of MWUN, comrade Casmir Anukanti, "part of the protest is to pass a vote of confidence in the Ugwu -led administration"
Anukanti said Comrade Ugwu has done so much that nobody could dwarf his achievements through cheap blackmail.
With a voice vote, the union therefore passed a vote of confidence in Ugwu.
The protesters who met with the Traffic Manager NPA Mr. Surajudeen Abolade who represented the Port manager, Onne Port complex, Mr. Abdulramon Hussain said they were there on a solidarity match, urging NPA, to disregard any misgivings from a group they referred to as non-existent.
Responding, Mr. Surajudeen Abolade said he was happy to receive them on behalf of the port Manager, saying that the Nigerian Ports Authority is committed to creating an enabling business environment.
He promised to take their message to the port manager while urged them not to cause any breach of law and order that might affect their business and that of other port users.
Some Truck drivers who spoke to journalists described those who accused MWUN of extortion and lack of welfare as disgruntled and ungrateful insisting that Ugwu -led Haulage District of Maritime workers Union of Nigeria has done tremendously well.
They said any driver accusing Ugwu and his EXCO of not being taken care of, should come with a proof.
They however warned those they referred to as mischief makers to engage in other things than resorting to cheap blackmail.
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