MWUN URGES FED. GOVT. TO DREDGE RIVER BENUE
From Emmanuel Samuel, Yola
The President General of the Maritime Worker’s Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Dr. Prince Adewale Adeyanju has called on the Federal Government to dredge River Benue from Lagos to Adamawa State in order to facilitate transportation of products and passengers to the Northern part of the country.
Comrade Adewale who was represented by Comrade Ebiye AtouI, President of SEAMEN/ NIWA and Water Transport Branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria said that the Northerners stands a better chance of benefiting economically if River Benue is dredged.
Down memory lane, Atoul recalled that River Benue in time past use to be an easier and cheaper means of transportation of goods and services to the Northern part of the Country, but today sand, stones, and tree trunks have taken over the river rendering it useless he lamented.
“From the foregoing it becomes obvious that the effect of water transport on the economy of the state is enormous and where well harness can bring infrastructural development to the state and Agro – based industries will spring up when farmers and traders can easily transport their product through water.
The President General said that Adamawa State has a lot of opportunities at the water fronts whose potential are yet to be harnessed.
“We therefore feel duty bound to give – off our expertise experience and time in the necessary task of building and harvesting the resources of this project in the mutual interest of all” he concluded.
The first Yola District EXCO members to be inaugurated are Cmr. Mahmuda Abdulahi Chairman, Tanko Adamu vice Chairman, Aaron Y Silang Secretary, Adamu S Ubareku Astsistant Secretary and Idris Aliyu Treasurer.
Others are Audu Gambo NEC officer, Andrea Stonis special Female, Usman Awepa Financial Secretary, Dahiru B Yahaya PRO and Abdulahi Abubakar Organizing Secretary.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Yola District Office, Comrade Muhmuda Abdulahi he would run an all inclusive and open administration in collaboration with his EXCO’s, adding that he would be transparent in his transactions.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Comptroller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Adamawa State, TUC Adamawa State, Head of Government Agencies and Parastatals, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Representatives from the Government of Adamawa State, the Head of Service, Head of Security Agencies, the Army, The Police, the Prisons Service, the Immigrations, Customs and the Director State Security Services.