From Emmanuel Samuel, Yola
Maritime workers under the aegis of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency dredge River Benue to reap from its surfeit economic potentials.
The President General of the union, Comrade Dr. Prince Adewale Adeyanju who dropped the hint during the inauguration of the first exco of Yola district of the union called on the government to dredge the river from Adamawa State to Lagos State.
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 northerners stand a better chance of benefiting economically if River Benue is dredged.
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, noting that today sand, stones, and tree trunks have taken over the river rendering it useless.
“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 waterways,” he said.
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 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 added.
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 Ast sec and Idris Aliyu Treasurer. Others are Audu Gambo Nec officer Andrea Stonis special Female, Usman Awepa financial Sec Dahiru B Yahaya PRO and Abdulahi Abubakar organising secretary.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Yola District Office Comrade Muhmuda Abdulahi said that he will run am open administration and will carry all his EXVO’s with him adding that he will be transparent in his transactions.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include; the Comptroller Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Adamawa State, State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, and TUC Adamawa State, Head of Government Agencies and Paratatals, 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.
