League of Maritime Editors Condemns Invasion of Shipping Companies by FCCPC Operatives
IGP
The League of Maritime Editors and Publishers has condemned the invasion of some shipping companies by officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The FCCPC officials who were aided by heavily armed police and army personnel had invaded the premises of shipping companies during which they were alleged to have harassed the staff and brought operations to standstill.
Among the shipping companies were COSCO , HULLBLYTH, OMA/CGM, LANSAL and HAPOD LYOD .
Reports have it that personal effects of the staff such as phones were seized by the operatives while the staff were held hostage for hours.
According to the statement by the League signed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Friday Odoemena, such harsh action must be roundly condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.
Maintaining that though it was not against government officials exercising their statutory responsibilities, League however said such acts must be done responsibly.
The statement read, “We believe that laid down procedures must be adhered to in the process of executing such responsibilities, else the gains will be lost.
“This mode of harassing companies and their staff must stop because if not well handled, it negates the growth of business environment.
“Therefore, this ignominious act of government officials should be roundly condemned.
“While we encourage government officials to step up the tempo in their enforcement process, we appeal that extreme caution should be exercised in order not to negate the current democratic dispensation|”.
Noting that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council officials has denied knowledge of the action, LOMEP appealed to FCCPC to thread softly as Nigeria is in a democratic dispensation.
“This type of work place invasion should be discouraged”, the statement added.
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