Nigerian ports struggle with strikes
Apapa is at a standstill
It appears that the general strikes in Nigeria are finally beginning to take a toll on the country’s seaports – because everything is now at a standstill, including at APMT’s terminal at Apapa.
APM Terminals Tom Boyd talked to Port Strategy today and commented: “We are waiting on more information, but currently all of the seaports in the country are closed and we are waiting for the situation between the government and the unions to resolve, we don’t have any influence.”
He added: “If an agreement was reached today we could be back to work tomorrow.”
ITF Africa region secretary Joe Katende, told PS today: "All ports are at a standstill and the workers demands are still on. The strike is on and continuing to bite. Until the government responds favourably there seems to be no other solution."
The strikes are over the cut in the nation’s fuel subsidy after its “reckless removal doubled the cost of fuel and transport for ordinary Nigerians literally overnight”, according to Mr Katende.
Nigeria’s general strike taking place this week has full support from the ITF’s sister, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), which represents oil workers in Nigeria.
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