The Western Ports of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has constituted a standing intervention committee meant to check the alleged cases of extortion of truck drivers by security operatives at the entrances to all ports in Lagos.
The intervention Committee which is under the Chairmanship of the General Manager, Western Ports; Chief Michael Ajayi is meant to address the fears of truckers Union on the alleged cases of extortion along Port access roads within the Lagos Ports Corridor.
According to a statement signed by NPA’s General Manager Public Affairs; Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, memberships of the committee is drawn from the NPA, the various truckers unions, fleet operators, and security agencies.
Truckers Union represented on the committee include: Representatives of Truck Owners Unions, Association of Maritime Transport Owners (AMARTO), Joint Council of Seaport Truck Operators (JACOST), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Road Transport Employees association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Truck Drivers Unit of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
According to the statement, Chief Ajayi explained that the composition of the committee became necessary following repeated complaints by truck drivers about extortion by security operatives at the ports entrance.
Assuring that the committee would verify all such allegations, the General Manager, Western Ports warned that the committee is determined to refer any erring security agent, found involved in such illegal act to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for necessary action.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that truck drivers operating at the Lagos Ports have expressed concern over extortion by the security agencies at the Port.
The truckers, who attributed the unending vehicular traffic in the Apapa Port vicinity to extortion, alleged that extortion hinders loading of cargoes a nightmare.
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