Port tasks team to commence night operation against extortions

The Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) has announced that it would commence a night operation on the roads leading to the Lagos ports to eradicate illegal checkpoints and all forms of corrupt practices militating against the free flow of cargo and vehicular movement on the axis.

The Coordinator-General, PSTT, Moses Fadipe, during an inspection tour of the port roads, said the team has commenced data collation of activities along the routes linking the two seaports, adding that some target points would be dealt with at night.

According to him, the sting operation would commence in no distant time to nab those extorting users, saying the illegalities would fizzle out with their removal.

Fadipe also vowed that the PSTT would bring both states and non-state actors involved in the illegalities at the port corridors to book at the appropriate time to send strong warnings to operators of the maritime industry.

Fadipe pointed out that the team has made tremendous progress in restoring order on the port access roads, as the illegal structures have been removed through enforcement of presidential directives.

He bemoaned the actions of government agencies and their agents as well as the confusion caused by the non-state actors such as touts, which he said posed obstacles to the effective operations of the PSTT

“We have been attacked physically on several occasions by non-state actors who are bent on having a place along the port corridor. One of our members has been seriously injured and hospitalised for weeks, but he is recovering. We need the cooperation and support of all maritime stakeholders to succeed in our work to restore order and efficiency in the ports,” Fadipe said.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, said the review of the task team operations followed the need to increase port efficiency and ensure the free flow of traffic on the roads within and around Apapa.