In this interview by TOLA ADENUBI, the National President of the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA), Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun, speaks on the high incidence of extortion along the ports access roads in Lagos, the extortion points and other related matters.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, recently raised the alarm on the increase in the extortionists’ activities along the Apapa and Tin-Can ports access roads. What is your take on this?
The Nigerian Ports Authority, as the regulatory body overseeing the operations of our ports, has a significant responsibility in ensuring the security and efficiency of maritime activities. The lack of effective oversight, compromised security measures and inadequate checks and balances by the relevant government agencies have contributed to the prevailing atmosphere of insecurity.
It is disheartening to witness the exploitation of businesses, communities and individuals who rely on these ports for their livelihoods. The extortion and other criminal activities have not only resulted in financial losses but also pose a threat to the safety and well-being of all stakeholders involved in maritime trade. This dire situation demands immediate attention and action.
How do these extortions affect haulage operations?
Haulage operators run at a loss and can barely feed or maintain their trucks. When our drivers refuse to pay, our trucks are vandalised and our drivers injured. We have lost 10 drivers to attacks by these hoodlums working in connivance with some state actors. Over 20 of our drivers have been injured due to these attacks. We cannot continue like this.
What can be done to stop this illegality?
At the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA), we are committed to fostering transparency, accountability and security along the nation’s ports access roads. We implore the public to join us in our pursuit of justice, fairness and efficiency by demanding enhanced security measures. The NPA must prioritise the implementation of robust security measures, including comprehensive surveillance systems, increased personnel and advanced technology to deter criminal activities.
While the NPA was engaged in ‘Operation Free the Port Corridor of Extortion’ last week, the leader of the extortion team of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led his gang to destroy kiosks of people. There is an urgent need for the NPA to establish a stringent oversight mechanism to monitor the actions of some of its officials. This will ensure that any acts of negligence or complicity are met with appropriate sanctions. The NPA should also collaborate with relevant law enforcement agencies to facilitate a coordinated approach in tackling criminal activities within the ports. This partnership will aid in intelligence sharing, joint operations and effective prosecution of offenders. The NPA must actively engage with the public and create channels for the reporting of extortion and criminal activities while guaranteeing the protection of whistleblowers. Encouraging transparency will aid in identifying and addressing internal corruption.
There has been much outcry about extortions along the ports access roads. Can you mention the particular spots and places along the roads where these extortions take place and how much is paid at each point?
The extortion points are broken down into sections. Let’s start from Mile 2 to Tin-Can Port. At Fatgbems, truckers pay N2,000 to Parks and Garages headed by Musiliu Akinsanya, a.k.a. MC Oluomo.
Just before the Mile 2 Bridge, another team of Parks and Garages collects another N2,000. When the trucks want to link the Mile 2 Bridge, another team of Parks and Garages collects N2,000. When the trucks get on top of the Mile 2 Bridge, another N2,000 is collected from truckers by Parks and Garages.
When the trucks depart the bridge and head to Freedom Market, at Otto Wharf, Parks and Garages collects N2,000. After Otto Wharf, at UBA Bus Stop, Parks and Garages collects another N2,000.
After UBA Bus Stop, at Berger, Parks and Garages collects N2,000. After Berger, the trucks get to RRS where Parks and Garages collects N5,000. After RRS, at MTN, Parks and Garages collects N3,000. After MTN, at Kirikiri exit, Parks and Garages collects N2,000. When the trucks exit Kirikiri, at Berger Bridge, Parks and Garages collects N2,000.
At this point, the influence of Parks and Garages stops and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria takes over collection of un-receipted fees along the ports access road.
After Berger Bridge, at Sunrise Bus Stop, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria collects N5,000. After Sunrise, at Brawal, another team of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria collects N3,000.
After Brawal, still within Sunrise inward Tin-Can Island Port, another team of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria collects N3,000. At Capital Oil, Inward Tin-Can, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria collects N2,000. At Ibru Jetty, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria collects N2,000.
After Ibru Jetty, at Coconut Bus Stop, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria collects N5,000. Between Coconut and second gate of Tin-Can, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has over 10 points where N2,000 is collected at each point.
When we counted the number of extortion points between Mile 2 and Apapa Port, there were over 50 points. The sum of N2,000 is illegally collected at each point. Between Mile 2 and Agbara where trucks often go to from the ports, we counted over 50 illegal points; the sum of N2,000 is also collected at each point.
We urge every concerned citizen, business owner and community member to join us in voicing our collective dissent against the prevailing state of affairs along our ports access roads. Together, we can hold the Federal Government and state government accountable and strive to create an environment where our ports operate efficiently, securely and with the utmost integrity.
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