The Organised Private Sector (OPS) and key stakeholders in the nation's maritime industry have condemned last week’s arson on the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) headquarters building in Lagos, describing it as an unfortunate incident while affirming that the maritime sector is a very critical sector of the economy.
In a chat with our correspondent, the Director General, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Muda Yusuf who condemned the attack on the NPA building said, although he could not estimate the loss suffered by the maritime industry, but said so far Nigeria may have lost over N700 Billion during the two weeks’ demonstration of the #End SARS protest.
He stressed that over the almost 14 days, economic activities have been crippled in most parts of the country and has been particularly profound in the urban areas.
Focusing on the maritime industry, he said, “I won't be able to give the figure, the logistics sector is a very critical sector in any economy, once there is a collapse in the logistics sector, the economy can't perform effectively”.
“However, so far the Nigerian economy has suffered an estimated ?700 billion loss in the past 14 days.
"The maritime sector is critical in the economy, if there is a challenge with the sector, there will be negative impact on the economy.
So the attack on NPA and the activities of the #End SARS have actually affected the economy" he said.
Speaking also to our correspondent, the Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Mr Segun Ajayi Kadir also condemned the attack on NPA, while also lamenting that the protests hijacked by hoodlums have affected almost the whole sector of the economy
"It has affected the economy generally not only for the maritime industry, the sooner we end it, the better for Nigeria, government have been receptive on this, they have agreed that SARS should be disbanded; the issue has been addressed they should allow government to implement it, almost everyone have been affected so far with the protest, so I will appeal that this crisis stop for the good of all Nigerians", he stated.
On his part the President of the National Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents (NCLMDLCA) Mr Lucky Amiwero also condemned the burning of the NPA building, but questioned the impact of the authority on the maritime industry so far
"The burnings is condemnable, all the assets the hoodlums are destroying are national assets, it should not be, their anger should not be vented on that
"Most of the politicians’ children are abroad, most Nigerian citizen cannot afford to send their wards abroad, more than 70% of youths are unemployed; and despite the fact that people further their education in obtaining masters and PhD yet no jobs
"The issue is over floating of impunity and the system is not working we need to run a transparent, honest and disciplined society, not sectional and religious", he concluded.
