31 Years On, Aged NNSL Seafarers Cry Out Over Unpaid Pensions, Entitlements

Aged seafarers under the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have continued to lament the non-payment of their pensions and entitlements, 31 years after the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) went into extinction.

The seafarers underwent a verification exercise three years ago at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Sports Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos, under the auspices of the then President-General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, with the guidance of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Before the verification exercise, many of the aged seafarers had died, while others became incapacitated or were hospitalised over various medical conditions. Many were also unable to afford their medical bills.

In a statement by MWUN Head of Media, Comrade John Ikemefuna on Monday, he noted that the union has continued to pursue the payment of the former seafarers’ pensions and entitlements through NIMASA, but the prolonged delay has left many of the aged workers in difficult circumstances.

Ikemefuna said the situation has forced some of the affected seafarers to resort to self-medication, while others continue to struggle with medical challenges and other hardships arising from their inability to access their outstanding benefits.

He noted that the union has remained persistent in its efforts to ensure that the former sailors receive their pensions and entitlements, adding that the plight of the senior citizens remains a major concern.

According to him, the incumbent President-General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu, has given the issue utmost attention since assuming leadership of the union, making efforts to ensure that the aged seafarers receive the benefits due to them.

Ikemefuna said Bunu has consistently received the affected seafarers whenever they visit the union’s headquarters and briefs them on developments concerning the matter.

He added that the union leadership has continued to urge the pensioners to remain patient and resilient, assuring them that discussions with the Federal Government and relevant ministries and agencies are ongoing towards resolving the prolonged issue.

Ikemefuna recalled that the former President-General, Adeyanju, also made concerted efforts during his tenure to secure the payment of the aged seafarers’ outstanding pensions and entitlements.

The union, however, appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment, stressing that many of the affected seafarers are already advanced in age and living under difficult conditions.

It said several of the pensioners have died, while others have become blind, suffered strokes or are confined to wheelchairs, with some also rendered homeless and dependent on others for their basic needs.

The union stressed that the affected seafarers have served the country diligently and deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labour after years of service at sea.

Bunu maintained that life after retirement should be worth living and not characterised by hardship, describing the prolonged plight of the former seafarers as unbearable and unacceptable.

He appealed to the Federal Government and all relevant authorities to urgently address the matter and put an end to the prolonged wait for the pensioners’ outstanding benefits.

The union said prompt action would provide relief to the aged seafarers, many of whom, it noted, can no longer afford to wait indefinitely for benefits accrued from their years of service.