MWUN Shipping Branch Committed To Industrial Harmony with WACT, Says Abass

The National President Maritime Workers Union, shipping branch Comrade, Olufemi Oluyinka  Abass says  Maritime workers Union shipping branch is committed to industrial harmony with West African Container Terminals WACT Onne Rivers state.

This disclosure was made during a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Managing Director, WACT - APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr. Courage  Obadagbonyi  last week Friday August 21, 2026 at Onne Rivers State.

Addressing WACT Management, Mr. Abass expressed satisfaction with what he described as WACT's historic gesture in appointing an indigenous Managing Director which according to him underscores WACT -APM belief in Local Content.

Speaking further, Abass stated   that "on behalf of our Maritime Workers Union President General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi and the shipping branch, we welcome you our local content Managing Director." 

Abass averred that it was a proud moment for the union adding that with Obadagbonyi on the saddle, local content and staff development would be given preference, insisting that as workforce that drives WACT operations they are committed to partnering with the management to sustain WACT's position as a leading container terminal in Nigeria.

"WACT is strong and will be stronger in your tenure and we pledge our full cooperation to ensure that your tenure is a successful one" Abass noted.

He praised WACT for the level of growth and development, adding that the growth stemmed from dedicated and committed workforce who have sacrificed day and night to make things work insisting that with the new leadership, the shipping branch would strengthen the already existing relationship based on mutual respect, dialogue and industrial harmony.

He added that the visit was based on a relationship mindset as according to him, a motivated, safe and well supported workforce was a sure way of achieving WACT productivity and profitability.

Comrade Abass raised concerns on the costs of living of his members, noting that the current economic realities are putting immense pressure on their well-being.

He requested the management intervention   on the cost of living allowance (COLA) and  fast tracking of the signing of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) reiterating that such would help alleviate the suffering of the workers even as he harped on their  resolve for industrial harmony saying " we are committed to peace and productivity as we believe that all issues are better resolved through dialogue, consultation and negotiation" 

Responding, WACT Managing Director, Mr. Courage Obadagbonyi  applauded the Shipping Branch for the visit, saying that he was pleased on behalf of the entire WACT management to receive them .

He promised to look into their demands holistically, insisting that what the management would do is to form a template on the   sustainability or otherwise of such demands  and approve where necessary so that workers can be focused on their job.

“I don't believe in ad-hoc kind of a thing but we should have a template and also appraise the sustainability of such demands so that even after my tenure it could also be sustained" he said.

The WACT boss promised a sustained relationship with the MWUN Shipping Branch and vowed to expedite action to make sure their legitimate demands are met.

Obadagbonyi  who has worked at  management level with Lafarge, General Electric and now the Managing Director of a leading Container Terminal in the eastern maritime corridor with experience spanning over two decades in Finance , Oil and Gas, Energy, Infrastructure , Logistics and Telecommunications will bring his wealth of experience to bear for service delivery, having replaced Jeethu Jose on  July 1, 2026 as the new managing Director of  WACT- APM  Nigeria which has invested  $15 million dollars at Onne since resuming operations  in 2006 . 

In his contribution, the District Chairman Maritime workers Union shipping branch Onne, Comrade Raymond  Nwawueze pledged the loyalty of the entire Onne shipping branch to the management of their various companies.  

Comrade Nwawueze reiterated the determination of his members to always abide by the work-ethics of their organizations insisting that they have faith in the on- going negotiations while advising them to exercise patience that at the end their expectations would be met.

The high point of the visit was the presentation of an  award to the new Managing Director WACT, which was done by the Deputy  President General MWUN , Comrade  Funmilola Fasan.

Others at the event include, Chinelo Obienyem - Senior People Business Partner, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria Nengi Tekena-Opuda - Employee Relations Specialists, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, Vice  President General MWUN Comrade Boniface Udoh, 

Comrade Onoro kalu, Secretary General, MWUN, District Vice Chairman Comrade Gordons Braid, District Secretary General Comrade Precious Asito, NEC member, Comrade Godfrey Nkpornwi, Unit chairman Comrade Solomon  Laaka and Comrade Paul Otogboro among others.

By Bon Peters

in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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