A deadly industrial accident at Tincan Island Port on Christmas Day has raised urgent alarm among dockworkers, union leaders, and port operators across the country. The tragic death of 35-year-old Kazeem Adeshina, a dedicated dockworker, has ignited widespread concerns about the safety of workers in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Adeshina, who was crushed by heavy cargo equipment at Berth 9 of the Tincan Island Port on December 25, 2024, has become the latest victim of what workers’ unions call systemic neglect of safety standards. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has vowed to take drastic action unless immediate improvements are made to safeguard workers at seaports, terminals, jetties, and oil platforms across the country.
This unfortunate incident has drawn attention to the precarious working conditions that dockworkers face daily, as they are often exposed to dangerous machinery and poorly maintained infrastructure. The MWUN has declared a state of emergency in response, citing the lack of safety materials, insufficient safety personnel, and a general disregard for safety protocols by many terminal operators and stevedores.
“We’ve Had Enough of This Neglect”
The MWUN’s leadership has been vocal about the need for urgent reforms within the maritime sector, especially regarding worker safety. Oniha Erazua, the Deputy Secretary General of the union, addressed the issue on December 26, two days after the tragic accident.
“We cannot continue to watch our members die due to preventable accidents,” Erazua said. “The neglect of safety standards is alarming. We’ve raised this issue countless times, but there’s been no meaningful response from terminal operators and port managers.”
Erazua’s comments reflect the growing frustration among union leaders, who have been holding emergency meetings to discuss the dangerous working conditions at Nigerian ports. “Despite repeated requests for the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), communication tools, first aid kits, and trained safety officers, many operators still fail to provide the necessary infrastructure,” he added.
The union’s leaders are particularly concerned about the lack of safety officers on-site and the failure to equip workers with life-saving tools. In the case of Adeshina’s death, there was no ambulance available at the scene, further aggravating the situation.
Safety Standards Are a ‘Sham,’ Says Union
For years, the MWUN has warned that inadequate safety measures in Nigerian ports are putting the lives of dockworkers at risk. The union claims that contractors, terminal operators, and port users routinely disregard basic safety standards, leading to unnecessary fatalities and life-altering injuries.
“The negligence in maintaining safety standards is a direct violation of workers’ rights,” Erazua emphasized. “The conditions in Nigerian ports are as hazardous as they come, yet many companies are more concerned about their profits than the lives of their workers.”
Adeshina’s tragic death has not only highlighted these safety lapses but also exposed the systemic issues that have plagued the maritime sector for years. Union leaders are now calling for the immediate enforcement of safety protocols across all Nigerian ports and oil platforms, warning that failure to act could lead to severe consequences.
Workers Demand Better Protection
In the wake of the accident, dockworkers across the country have expressed fears about their safety and job security. Many have threatened to stop work unless immediate changes are made to improve safety measures at port facilities.
“It’s getting worse every day,” said one anonymous port worker, who has been employed at the Tincan Island Port for over a decade. “The equipment is old and the safety procedures are just a joke. How many more lives have to be lost before the authorities take action?”
The fear of industrial unrest looms large as dockworkers and port operators brace for the possible fallout from this latest tragedy. Erazua warned that if conditions do not improve, the MWUN would be forced to withdraw its services across the nation’s ports.
“We will not hesitate to shut down port activities nationwide if the government and terminal operators do not enforce better safety measures,” Erazua declared. “This is no longer just about better working conditions – it’s about saving lives.”
The Call for Immediate Action
As the union continues its efforts to bring attention to the issue, several high-ranking officials within the Nigerian government and the maritime industry have promised to launch investigations into Adeshina’s death and the wider safety issues at Nigerian ports.
“We are aware of the situation, and an inquiry into this tragic incident is underway,” said Ibrahim Musa, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). “We take safety very seriously and are committed to ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.”
However, many port workers remain skeptical of promises for reform, citing a history of unfulfilled assurances and inadequate action by the authorities.
“We’ve heard this before,” said another worker, who wished to remain anonymous. “Every time something like this happens, they promise change. But when the dust settles, nothing changes.”
A Struggle for Justice and Reform
The fatal accident on Christmas Day has underscored the broader issue of worker safety and the ongoing struggle for justice in Nigeria’s maritime sector. Dockworkers have long been advocating for improved working conditions, but their efforts have largely fallen on deaf ears.
As the MWUN continues its push for reform, the union has made it clear that it will not back down until concrete steps are taken to improve the safety of port operations. The group is demanding that terminal operators provide all necessary safety equipment, employ qualified safety officers, and adhere to internationally recognized safety standards.
“We cannot continue to lose lives in this manner,” Erazua concluded. “We will keep fighting for the rights of our members, and we won’t rest until proper safety protocols are put in place.”
