Lagos Ports Deserted as EndSARS Protests Take New Dimension
Activities at the Lagos ports have remained paralysed since Monday this week as the EndSARS protests took a new dimension.
Our Correspondents who monitored events at both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports report that there have been no movement of goods out of the ports as a result of the protests which affected major roads in and out of Lagos.
It was gathered that the Customs Area Controllers have continued to report for duties along with other few customs officers, but customs agents have been apprehensive to embark on any clearing process or move their goods over the fear of being attacked by hoodlums who have taken advantage of the protests to cause mayhem.
The situation was further compounded following the 24 hours curfew announced by the Lagos state government Tuesday.
It was gathered that before the curfew, apart from Customs Controllers, many customs officers have been patronising commercial motorcyclists to go to the ports.
The cyclists have taken advantage to hike their fairs with short runs within Apapa and Tin Can ports costing as much as N500.00.
Even commercial motorcyclists avoided areas out of the ports environment for the fear of being attacked by hoodlums who were lurking around for people to attack.
Many customs agents who spoke to our Correspondents said they will keep away from the ports until normalcy returns, explaining that it was risky to clear goods at the ports under the crisis situation throughout the country.
Following the protest, staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMSA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) were advised to remain at home until there is normalcy.
Those who were in office on Monday had trekked long distances before being able to secure commercial motorcycles to take them home.
The agencies had withdrawn their buses from plying the road for the fear of being attacked.
As at Monday, all the workers who came to work with staff buses were told to find their way home.
A senior customs officer who spoke to SHIPPING DAY said only the Controllers and few key officers were at the ports Tuesday.
Our Correspondents who monitored events at both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports report that there have been no movement of goods out of the ports as a result of the protests which affected major roads in and out of Lagos.
It was gathered that the Customs Area Controllers have continued to report for duties along with other few customs officers, but customs agents have been apprehensive to embark on any clearing process or move their goods over the fear of being attacked by hoodlums who have taken advantage of the protests to cause mayhem.
The situation was further compounded following the 24 hours curfew announced by the Lagos state government Tuesday.
It was gathered that before the curfew, apart from Customs Controllers, many customs officers have been patronising commercial motorcyclists to go to the ports.
The cyclists have taken advantage to hike their fairs with short runs within Apapa and Tin Can ports costing as much as N500.00.
Even commercial motorcyclists avoided areas out of the ports environment for the fear of being attacked by hoodlums who were lurking around for people to attack.
Many customs agents who spoke to our Correspondents said they will keep away from the ports until normalcy returns, explaining that it was risky to clear goods at the ports under the crisis situation throughout the country.
Following the protest, staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMSA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) were advised to remain at home until there is normalcy.
Those who were in office on Monday had trekked long distances before being able to secure commercial motorcycles to take them home.
The agencies had withdrawn their buses from plying the road for the fear of being attacked.
As at Monday, all the workers who came to work with staff buses were told to find their way home.
A senior customs officer who spoke to SHIPPING DAY said only the Controllers and few key officers were at the ports Tuesday.
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