The Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies (SSASCFA) has condemned the recent forceful invasion of the offices of some shipping companies by the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The association described the invasion which happened on Monday as a threat to its members lives, this is even as it stated that two of its members fainted and were rushed to the hospital owing to the commando style in which the commission stormed some shipping companies with armed men
The association informed that personal phones and laptops of staff were seized including that of clearing agents who came to carry out their lawful duties
The President General of SSASCFA, Com. Harrison Ugochukwu Asonye, stated that operations were grounded at the premises of its members in Cosco Shipping Nigeria Limited, Hullblyth Nigeria Limited, CMA/CGM Nigeria Limited, Lagos and Niger Shipping Agencies Limited (LANSAL) and Hapag Llyod Shipping Nigeria Limited and proceeded to unleash mayhem on innocent members of the union.
While calling for an investigation into the invasion, the association warned that should such invasion continue, the association might be forced to protest the act
He noted that members of the union shouldn’t be held hostage as they are only staff of the companies.
He however noted that the association was not against government agencies doing their work, but said laid down procedures should be followed.
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According to him,” it is an embarrassment that a government agency will have to come in a commando style to invade some of these shipping companies
“We may end up losing our customers as a result of the invasion as individuals’ phones were collected and even our members’ phones were collected while they downloaded data and monitored the personal WhatsApp of our members, this is against their freedom as citizens of Nigeria
” Up till now, we are not aware of what they want, even the management is not aware, Nigeria Shippers’ Council is not aware and we don’t know what is going on.
“We may be forced to go on a warning strike, if the government does not address this forceful invasion.
“We know there will be economic loss, but our lives are worth much more than the demurrage that will be incurred” he said.
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