NPA Demolishes ANLCA, NAGAFF Chapter ‘Container’ Secretariats At PTML

In line with its threat, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) on Sunday demolished the containers which housed the secretariat of the PTML chapters of both the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders ( NAGAFF) .
Confirming our exclusive story of yesterday, in which we reported that the structures would be pulled down last weekend, Shipping Position Dailyconfirmed yesterday that the demolition took place at about 12noon, when NPA officials, accompanied by armed security personnel and descended on the twin ‘offices’.

Shipping Position Daily had reported exclusively yesterday that,the container offices were to be pulled down, because they constitute security risk and are also a violation of the dictates of the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Members of the two associations were also accused of behaving in like manners with tanker and trailer drivers and commercial motor cycle riders, who regularly and consistently populate the PTML environment.
The move to pull down the structures was said to have been at the instance of the management of Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited, which reportedly request the Police authorities and NPA, for assistance in sanitizing the environment.
Last Friday, an emergency meeting of the leadership of the two associations was held at the instance of the chapter executives. However, the meeting could not achieve much as the national leadership of both ANLCA and NAGAFF told their members at the two embattled chapters to vacate the controversial premises and look for more befitting and permanent offices.
But, the chairman of PTML Chapter of NAGAFF; Chief Goodluck Onunji told our correspondent yesterday that the executive will meet today (Tuesday) to begin to find alternative office space outside the port complex.

He acknowledged in a chat with Shipping Position Daily that the security threat in country made NPA to dismantle the containerised secretariat, even as he pointed berated the NPA for the manner it was done.

He noted that they were caught unaware; adding that as law-abiding citizens, the need to look for an alternative is of essence.

The chapter chairman added that, "what we can only do now is to look for an alternative which will be an office outside the port complex"

"As far as we are concerned, it the NPA that is responsible for the demolition of the place because I received the letter from them before now about the demolition"

"We all are aware of the present security challenges in the country and it is applicable to everybody", he stated.

"We were taken unaware because we never knew it will be over the weekend, the chairman further stated.

However, chairman of ANLCA’s taskforce and complaint committee at the PTML chapter; Mr Andrew Ugwi said that members would continue to carry out their businesses from the spot when the containers were.

Ugwi however lamented that the structures were demolished to punish the clearing agents for telling the truth about the operations of the terminal operator; Port and Terminal Multi Services Limited.
“Because, we are telling Grimialdi Shipping Line the truth that they charge us arbitrarily, that is why they dismantled this place, but we will not relent to make them realise the fact that they are sabotaging the economy of this nation and nobody is asking any questions", he said.

He also blamed the PTML chapter chairman; Prince Bola Adeniran, for being “too diplomatic” with the development.