The Western Ports chapter of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has created a new committee to check the alleged cases of extortion on truck drivers by security operatives at the Port entrances in Lagos.
The new committee known as “Intervention Committee” is meant to address the complaints of Truckers Union on alleged cases of extortion along port access roads within the Lagos Ports Corridor.
Some truckers have also attributed unending vehicular traffic in the Apapa Port vicinity to the extortion by security operatives within the ports. They alleged that the frequent cases of the extortion has made loading in Lagos Ports a nightmare for both drivers and transport agents.
Chairman of the committee, the General Manager, Western Ports, NPA, Chief M.K. Ajayi explained that the committee became necessary following repeated complaints by truck drivers on continuous extortion by security operatives at the ports entrance.
Chief Ajayi warned that the committee who be resolute in its bid to verify the allegations. He also added that the committee is determined to refer any security operative involved in such illegal act to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for judgment.
The members of the committee were drawn from the NPA 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).
By Kenneth Jukpor
