NPA Constitutes Committee to Check Extortion at Ports
A standing Intervention Committee to check the alleged cases of extortion truck drivers by security operatives at the port entrances in Lagos has been constituted by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Western Ports.
The intervention Committee, which is under the Chairmanship of the General Manager, Western Ports, NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi is meant to address the fears of truckers union on the alleged cases of extortion along port access roads within the Lagos Ports Corridor.
The members of the committee are drawn from the NPA truckers unions, fleet operators, and security agencies. Truckers union represented on the committee include those from 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).
Ajayi explained that the composition of the committee became necessary following repeated complaints by truck drivers on extortion by security operatives at the ports entrance.
Assuring that the committee would verify all such allegations, Ajayi warned that the committee is determined to refer any erring security agency, found involved in such illegal act to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for necessary action.
Meanwhile, Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, Lagos has provided a break lounge and kitchenette for its personnel in the premier port.
The facility, which suffered neglect was recently refurbished by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Speaking at the formal unveiling of the facility, Ajayi reiterated the determination of the authority to always cater for the welfare of its workforce and to provide them with an enabling environment which would ensure optimal productivity.
Ajayi enjoined all categories of workers in the organization to always strive to offer their best in the discharge of their duties.
He called on the workers of the authority to always realize that ‘’to whom much is given much is expected’’ even as he urged the security personnel of the ports who are the direct beneficiaries of the lounge, to realize the sensitive position they occupy in the management’s vision of providing an efficient ports service in a safe, secured and customer friendly environment.
Port Manager, LPC, Mrs. Eunice Ngozi Ezeoke had earlier in her welcome address said the lounge was delivered as a result of long time planning and painstaking patience by relevant departments in the port.
According to her, the essence of the facility was to ensure that our security personnel were comfortable whilst on duty as the port is open to business for 24 hours.
She explained that in order to meet International best practices, security operatives should ensure good interpersonal practices with members of the public in the ports by being alert and well kitted at all times.
The Assistant General Manager, Security, Western Ports, Mr. Jamil Khalil commended the initiative of the Port Manager LPC whilst promising that the operatives would make good use of the facility in view of the resources put into its refurbishment.
In her remarks, Hajia Halima Abdul of the Occupational and Health Department LPC said that the lounge was a thing of joy to the management of the port.
She appealed to the users to make good use of the place during break time to refresh themselves from the hazards of noise and human/vehicular pressure from Ports users.