By Uzor Odigbo
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the withdrawal of services embarked upon by truck drivers of dry cargo from the Lagos seaports.
Investigations revealed that no truck was seen laden with consignment along the two ports corridor on Tuesday.
The withdrawal of services by truck drivers which entered its second day (Tuesday) was carried out to express dissatisfaction over maltreatment and extortion by Naval officers and other security agents assigned with the responsibility to control traffic within the ports access roads.
Stakeholders in the maritime sub-sector while reacting, lauded the actions by the haulage operators , even as they lamented that it would have a ripple effect on their businesses.
Speaking on the strike, Haruna Omolajomo, Executive Secretary of Association of Bonded Terminal Operators of Nigeria (ABTON) commended the truckers for the initiative saying that other industry players were supposed to be part of the show of aggression.
He however added that the action did not have negative effect on their operations saying, “Bonded terminals have been operating below 3% under-utilisation.
“I commend the truckers for the strike, it is what all stakeholders are supposed to be part of. We are in support of what they are doing. They are the only people that can hold government to ransom. The only language understood by the government is strike.
“I commend the truckers for the strike, it is what all stakeholders are supposed to be part of. We are in support of what they are doing. They are the only people that can hold government to ransom. The only language understood by the government is strike.
“The government should listen to them and meet their demands ,” he admonished.
Also speaking, David Pius, a freight agent and port activist said the withdrawal of service was laudable but maintained that clearing agents were caught unawares as they were not informed ahead of the strike.
Pius stated that the action would lead to accumulation of demmurage in the port hence terminal operators and shipping companies would smile to the banks.
“Terminal Operators and Shipping Companies will now be smiling to the banks as a result of demmurage accumulation.
“There is enough reasons for them to go on strike. They have made several attempts to reach the government over the issue but without success.
“The government should look at the Industry and salvage it from the infrastructural rots and inconsistent policies,” he admonished.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) however said the strike did not affect its operations and revenue generation drive.
The Customs Public Relations Officer of the Tin Can command , Uche Ejesieme said that the strike action had no negative impact on the revenue collection of the Command.
Ejesieme noted that despite the strike, agents are going about their normal duty.
A Chieftain of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) ,Tin Can Island chapel, Sylvester Keshiro lamented that the situation on ground is not palatable, adding that the drivers have every right to air their grievances.
Keshinro bemoaned that security agencies deployed to man the access roads, molested, arrested and extorted drivers unnecessarily, stressing that the government needs to rise to the occasion.
He said truckers are demanding for the removal of naval officers along the access roads, adding that the Nigerian Ports Authority must be held accountable for the strike action embarked upon by drivers
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
