There are indications that the Federal Roads Committee On Surveillance and Action Against Road Abuse (FERCSARA) South West zone has insisted that the consultancy firm that was engaged by the Lagos State Government to collect the controversial wharf landing fees should stop collecting the levy on Federal roads.
Sources close to FERCSARA hinted that the decision was conveyed to the Lagos state consultant at a recent meeting in Lagos.
The FERCSARA is domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Works.
There are indications that the Federal Roads Committee On Surveillance and Action Against Road Abuse (FERCSARA) South West zone has insisted that the consultancy firm that was engaged by the Lagos State Government to collect the controversial wharf landing fees should stop collecting the levy on Federal roads.
Sources close to FERCSARA hinted that the decision was conveyed to the Lagos state consultant at a recent meeting in Lagos.
The FERCSARA is domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Works.
The wharf landing fee is collectable on all cargoes cleared at Lagos ports and being conveyed within on through the state.
Our correspondent confirmed that at a meeting to deliberate on the issue on Tuesday, the South West taskforce team of FERCSARA which was led by one Mr. Obinna Chukwu Ihemelandu argued that operations of the Lagos State Government on federal road is illegal, even as it added that the taskforce committee is ready to clear all illegal operations on federal roads in the state, which also includes the ports access roads.
He also informed officials of the wharf landing fees collecting firm; M-TOF Consulting Services that, since the existence of FERCSARA, there has been a cordial relationship between it and LASTMA and other state and federal agencies, but urged the state government officials to stay clear of the federal highways.
He advised the state government to concentrate its efforts in managing all state roads and allow FERCSARA operatives to operate on highways that belongs to the federal government in ensuring that the traffic gridlock becomes a thing of the past.
Also speaking, another official of FERCSARA; Chukwuemeka Udenze told the wharf landing fees team that FERCSARA has the support of the port economic regulator; the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and that abuse on the federal road must stop.
Udenze told delegates of the consulting firm point blank that:"This is our road and we don't want you to be there any longer, because the road does not belong to you."
But speaking on behalf of the state government, Managing Director of M-TOF consulting Service, Alhaji J.T Amusat maintained that there is a law backing collection of the wharf landing fee on federal highways.
Amusat said that federal laws supercede that of the state and there is a law backing the wharf landing fee collection, even as he added that both the state and the federal governments are partners.
Also, the Operations Manager of the consulting firm; Mr. Abel Ogunjemilusi who also spoke called for a total collaboration between both parties, saying that FERCSARA as a new organisation of the federal government should borrow some experience from the state.
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