Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has petitioned the Nigerian Army over its involvement in private haulage and logistics business with the alleged use of military facilities such as trucks and garages.
In the petition written to the Chief of Defence Staff, and signed by the group’s lawyer; Temilorun Komolafe, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, COMTUA alleged that some personnel of the Nigerian Army perpetrate some unfavourable activities at Apapa and Tin Can ports which in diverse ways have affected its members’ businesses badly.
The union alleged that the Nigerian Army personnel now engage in non-military private business, and determine which truck should be allowed access into the port in the interest of their own private business or personal interest. The COMTUA also alleged that some military personnel also own private haulage business.
COMTUA further alleged that on several occasions, the military men violate usual protocols of the port that their drivers who drive these army-colored trucks, are army personnel themselves, dressed in army uniforms, whose business in the ports and terminals is questionable.
The petition reads in part: “There has been series of continuous and unfavorable events perpetrated by some personnel of the Nigerian Army at the Apapa and Tin Can Ports which in diverse ways have affected our business and which has been ongoing for many years.
Sequel to the above, Sir we wish to bring to your notice as follows;
“That Army personnel now engage in our private business, the Haulage Business.
“That Army personnel are now constantly on the road determining which truck should be allowed access into the port in the interest of their own private business or personal interest, which is owning a private haulage business.
“That on several occasions, they violate the time-belt and bypass usual protocols of the port. Often times, the drivers who drive these army-colored trucks, are army personnel themselves, dressed in army uniforms, whose business in the ports and terminals is for private gains.
“It is in the guile of being painted the army color, that these trucks used for personal business, gains access into the port before any other truck can have the opportunity to go into the port.
“These in many ways has killed our business, as during a typical 24-hour period, army colored trucks are allowed access to and from the port on countless times in a day while our trucks remain on the queue during this period.
“That Military personnel are now found on the road as members of the taskforce team on traffic in order to enable free and easy passage of the camouflaged painted trucks which are going into the port for private business.
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“That the Army now have a garage, NAPL (Nigerian Army Park Limited) at Mile 2 Lagos, for the purpose of sustaining their continued dominance of our private business.
“That since the continuous dominance of the Army in our private business, which has resulted in difficulty to access the ports, our business has been badly affected and our finances have hit rock bottom.
However, it is the provisions of theFederal Government Public Service Rules 2008Chapter 2, Schedule 2 that “…any person engaged in public service shall not directly or indirectly engage in business…
“Furthermore, it has been a constant practice of these personnel when their actions are been questioned, to always assault our members and inflict physical harm. Most recently one Mr. Collins Dike, the National Organizing Secretary of our Council was physically assaulted after he had challenged the need for some trucks painted the army colour to gain access into the port freely and engage in private business thereby enjoying undue favoritism and nepotism to the detriment of our members and business”.
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