By Uzor Odigbo
Operators of commercial bikes (Okada riders) along Tin Can Island Port have accused operatives of the Nigerian Army deployed to maintain law and order of extortion.
The operators described the daily levy of stickers collection by the military personnel as an embarrassment to the pride of Nigeria security force, urging Chief Executive Officers of maritime agencies to fashion out modalities to stop the anomalies.
thenicheng.com learnt that soldiers deployed to the corridor are allegedly feeding fat from the commercial bike operators, as levy collected from them include: N1,000, N2000 and N5,000 respectively.
They implied that, distance from First gate Tin Can Island Port to Second gate attracts N1000, while from First gate to Apapa port of either Eleganza Plaza or Nnewi Building attract N2,000 .
While those who operates from Mile 2 down to Sunrise inward Abuja Park, Tin Can Island Port were allegedly slammed with N5,000 levy.
The frustration and anger on faces of the Okada riders further indicates that the situation has become alarming due to the low turn out of maritime stakeholders who barely have consignment to clear from the seaports.
While calling on the military top brass to fashion out modalities on how to halt the current trend, some of the operators lamented that the levies which attract stickers as a confirmation of payment should be abolished .
A cross section of the Okada riders disclosed that the military personnel attach sticker on the bike headlamp as means of identity confirming payment with some sort of signature and date.
Asked how they make profit from their day to day operations despite the levy, one of the operator simply identified as Usman said ” This our business is more like trading whereby you can make good money today and tomorrow will not be good.”
He said Okada business has been bastardize by military personnel along the port corridor ,saying the situation is pathetic at the moment.
He further appealed to heads of maritime government agencies to help engage the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) on how to tackle the alleged multiple extortion by men of the Nigerian Army deployed to maintain orderliness despite the ongoing construction along the port corridors.
According to him, micro means of transportation within the port environment has also contributed to trade facilitation , arguing that movement of freight forwarders , shippers , and ancillary services from one location to another made maritime business easier.