FRESH INSIGHT ON EXTORTION, CORRUPTION EMERGES AT PORTBIZNESS ANCHOR OF NIGERIAN PORTS CONFERENCE
Extortion and corruption at the nation’s Ports corridor has been highlighted as the major factors militating against trade facilitation in the maritime sector.
This fresh insight emerged at the 3rd edition of Portbizness Anchor of Nigerian Ports Conference in Lagos.
Speaking at the conference, on the theme: “Achieving Seamless Ports and Cargo Business in Nigeria: Challenges & Prospects” on Thursday, the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee ( LASTCOC), Alh. Lukman Shittu popularly known as Zangalo gave a fresh insight that there are indications that extortion points are back on the Ports access road, thereby frustrating truck drivers and effective evacuation of cargoes from the Ports.
Alh. Shittu also faulted the implementation of the NPA electronic call-up system known as ETO, saying that the program encourages favoritism and that it did not meet its original standard expected.
Zangalo, the LASTCOC Chairman, who was honoured at the event with the Portbizness Radio Nigeria 103.5fm Lifetime Achievements Award 2024, fingered officials of Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority(LASTMA) and hoodlums known as Area boys, whom according to him, wield sticks and dangerous weapons in daylight to extort money from truck drivers.
Zangalo said” There are multiple checkpoints, and truckers are spending a lot of money to enter the Ports which does not go to the Federal Government but individuals.
‘As the chairman of LASTCOC, I have not collected money from Apapa or Tin can even though we should benefit from our members, we are dealing with Area boys, Police, LASTMA, and even NPA on the road”
The chairman of the occasion, Capt. Alfred O. Oniye, Secretary General, MESAN, in his opening remarks, said that the theme for the 2024 edition of Portbizness Anchor of Nigerian Ports Conference ” Achieving Seamless Ports and Cargo Business in Nigeria: Challenges & Prospects was carefully and sensitively chosen based on some bottlenecks affecting the process of cargo clearance and business at the ports that needed to be addressed.
Capt. Oniye, who was ably represented by Dr. S S George ( esq), commended the organisers saying that the objective of the conference is indeed meeting the target audience.
In his Keynote Address, Dr. Leonard Anyanwu, the Terminal Coordinator, Africa Global Logistics (AGL) pointed out that one of the prides of this nation apart from crude oil production is the huge economic gains that come from the Ports industry.
Dr. Anyanwu who was represented by the Publisher, Prestige Blended Magazine, added that the topic of discourse for the Anchor of Nigerian Ports Conference is very crucial for the growth of Nigeria’s economy as it targeted at addressing the core factors militating against seamless operations in Nigeria Ports.
According to Dr. Anyanwu ” I want to profoundly thank the organisers of this conference, Portbizness Communications for assembling stakeholders for this all important discourse.
“My years of experience and deep understanding of ports operations has provided me with valuable insights into some of these challenges faced by importers and exporters at Nigerian Ports, challenges that keep emasculating thier businesses.”
James Shodiya, MD/CEO and convener of the conference, in his opening remarks, stated that what informed this year’s theme is based on the fact that Nigeria is strategically located at a significant cost with about 385 kilometers coastline and this gives us a geographical advantage to become the hub in the whole west and central African region yet have have some defaults in the Ports and Cargo Business and operations till date.
The highlights of the conference was the Portbizness News Award of a Lifetime Achievements presented to individuals who have made a landmark contributions to the maritime sector over the years.
Amongst the Awardees are Dr. Leonard Anyanwu, Terminal Coordinator Africa Global Logistics, Dr.(Mrs) Bernard Anita .U, MD/CEO, Pro-Save Life Pharmacy & Stores Ltd., Compt. Dera Nnadi (mni), Controller Tin Can Customs Command, Compt. Babatunde Olomu, Controller Apapa Customs Command, Compt. Anthony A. Abosede ( Rtd), Alh. Lukman Shittu a.k.a Zangalo, Executive Chairman LASTCOC, Fwdr. Tochukwu Ezisi, President NAGAFF,
AIB Unique Energy Resources Ltd., Certified Institute of Shipping(CIS) and other notable dignitaries in the maritime sector
