There was drama this morning as the International Sea Trade and
Investment Convention (ISTIC), which is presently ongoing in Lagos, was disrupted by the owners of the facility, Landmark Event Centre, over the organizer’s failure to pay up for use of the event hall.
Guests and delegates to the 2-Day Convention were embarrassed when they showed up at the venue for the final day of the convention, only to be prevented from getting into the premises of the event centre.
According to one of the security officials stationed at the gate, the organizers of ISTIC had not completed payment for the hall, leading them to take the drastic measure of shutting their gates.
“We’re asked not to let anyone for this programme inside, whether vehicles or pedestrians until they (Convention organizers) settle with our management,” said one of the guards who vehemently refused to give his name. “When we’re asked to open the gate, we will do so. Until
then, no one is allowed their account.”
As the ugly situation dragged on, only a couple of members of the Convention Steering Committee were spotted around the venue, pacing relentlessly and making series of phone calls in desperate attempts to salvage the crisis.
When MMS Plus, sought to get their side of the story, the response was flat: “There’s only a small misunderstanding going on, but we’ll soon resolve it and go on with the programme.”
The Convention didn’t commence until about 1:30 pm when the gates of
the venue were thrown open to usher delegates into the hall after
they’ve been kept outside for over 5 hours.
