One year after: Aged seafarers cry to union for help as 21 die from Ill health in two weeks.
One year after: Aged seafarers cry to union for help as 21 die from Ill health in two weeks.
Segun Oladipupo
No fewer than 60 aged seafarers from the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, appealed to the leadership of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to intervene by engaging the federal government over the payment of their pensions.
This appeal is coming barely one year after a screening and verification exercise was carried out in Lagos for the aged seafarers who had served the Federal Republic of Nigeria aboard the defunct national carrier.
The senior citizens took turns to express their disappointment over the government’s lack of interest in disbursing the funds, despite due diligence having been completed in April 2024.
According to them, some aged seamen who served on the NNSL have recently passed away without reaping the fruits of their labor.
They further described the situation as unfortunate, especially given the high hopes raised by government assurances of payment back in 2024.
Over twenty-two aged seafarers have died due to ill health and lack of funds for medical treatment within the past two weeks.
It was also gathered that some of the aged seafarers present at the meeting are facing health challenges, with two individuals confirmed blind due to lack of funds for optical treatment.
A cross-section of the seamen lamented that the government has neglected its earlier promises to disburse the funds to beneficiaries who are still alive.
They further called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to make the money available before the end of April, stressing that the payment is long overdue.
However, they also passed a vote of confidence on the President General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, praising his wealth of experience in seafaring and welfare-related matters. They stressed that with him as the leader of MWUN, the issues of aged seafarers will be addressed.
While congratulating Bunu on his new post as PG of MWUN, the senior citizens appealed for immediate intervention from the union, urging him as the front man to make a strong case on behalf of the seamen who have served the country.
Assuring the senior citizens of hope regarding their benefits and pension payments, President General of MWUN Comrade Francis Bunu explained that 85% of the payment process has been concluded, adding that the Ministry of Finance will soon put smiles on the faces of the retired sailors.
Bunu expressed optimism that the government will make the payment, assuring that some members of the aged seafarers will join national officers and branch executives to engage the Finance Minister when the window for discussion opens in Abuja.
The PG expressed satisfaction with the efforts of his predecessor in ensuring the success of the 2024 verification exercise for senior citizens, adding that the new leadership of MWUN is not resting on its oars until payment or disbursement of the emoluments is made.
Responding earlier, Branch President of the Seamen and Water Transport Branch, MWUN, Comrade Sunday Avoseh, disclosed that the union leadership has already commenced consultations on how to engage the Minister of Finance for immediate disbursement.
Avoseh explained to the senior citizens that a closed-door meeting was held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, to discuss the modalities of engaging the Minister of Finance.
He also assured the senior citizens that all entitlements and pensions will be paid very soon but maintained that the union has played a significant role in ensuring payment.
