A cross section of port users has called for demolition of the recently shut “Any man” Canteen at Tin Can Island port, saying that the premises have been turned to a hide out for criminals, even as some said that there have been incidences of rape within the facilities.
A cross section of port users has called for demolition of the recently shut “Any man” Canteen at Tin Can Island port, saying that the premises have been turned to a hide out for criminals, even as some said that there have been incidences of rape within the facilities.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent who went round the canteen that was ordered closed about three weeks ago confirmed that buying and selling as well as other sundry activities have gradually picked up, even as he confirmed that the main gate into the premises was still locked. He however noticed that the small gate was opened and that ‘business activities have resumed.
Some port users who spoke to Shipping Position Daily on Monday disclosed that the place is fast deteriorating, even as they added that illegalities are on the increase.
A source who prefers anonymity disclosed that after the closure of the place three weeks ago, instances of rape have been recorded, pointing out that urchins from neighbouring Ajegunle, a high density community close to the port now use the place as a hub to operate at night.
He said that hoodlums still hid dangerous weapons in most of the abandoned shops within the complex and stressed the need for the landlord of the port to swing into action immediately.
The source who is also a member of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents [ANLCA] called on the NPA to demolish the place and consider leasing it out as a source of revenue to the government.
The ANLCA chieftain said that the canteen has nothing to offer stakeholders anymore, adding that the place is unhealthy and friendly to port business.
He alerted that if the authority can carry out a thorough search on the place, arms and ammunition will be discovered and advised that the concerned authority should address the issue on time.
According to him, armed robbers are using the place as a hide out even as he added that fraudsters also use the place to execute their plans.
He also revealed that despite the closure of the facilities, hoodlums still find their ways into the place at night to sleep.
‘’As it is now, that place is not meant for human beings anymore and I am appealing to NPA to demolish the place with immediate effect’’, he appealed.
A female port user also told our correspondent that before the closure, agents have been duped on various occasions by the undesirables who had made the place their haven, even as she alleged that owners of the restaurants also use fetish means lure customers to buy food and drinks from them.
The female source who also prefers anonymity disclosed that some the female canteen attendants were into prostitution and they also lure people into commercial sex at the close of business every day.
Our correspondent also noticed that the return of ‘business’ to ‘anyman’ canteen is quite unnoticeable from outside, but is visible on the approach to Tin Can port from Mile 2, from the Coconut bus stop bridge.
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