Ports open for business despite hunger protest

…Bank closure, agents’ low turnout affect operations

Despite the nationwide hunger protest, the nation’s seaports were opened for businesses to clear their cargo and evacuate them from the port to the importers’ warehouses.

BusinessDay gathered that the port was opened and working Customs Licensed Agents and truckers were allowed movement without interruption.

In Lagos, all the Commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) were opened for the business of cargo examination and releasing of goods for importers and their agents to take delivery of their consignments.

Also, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) had earlier assured that they would be ready to be at the ports for work despite the protest.

“We are working because truck operators are not part of the protest. Business activities are going well and peaceful within the port environment,” Bala Mohammed, a trucker told BusinessDay on the phone.

According to him, truckers are going about their normal business of either dropping empty or export containers and loading imports to deliver at the importers’ warehouses.

Mohammed said the protest has so far been peaceful and they have not received any report of infringement of human rights on any of their members who are going about their legitimate business in Lagos.

He said there is also a heavy presence of security operatives- police and soldiers- who are on their guard and ready to wade off intruders or hoodlums who may use the opportunity of the protest to perpetuate illegalities on people.

“At the association level, the Association of Maritime Trucks Owners (AMATO) had earlier enjoyed our members to continue their normal business and not to join the protest because we believe in peaceful dialogue as a way of resolving societal problems rather than protesting,” who doubles as the secretary general of AMATO said.

However, BusinessDay discovered that though the ports were open for business, port operations were skeletal as many Licensed Customs Agents did not turn up to take delivery of their consignments.

Also, payment of import duties was limited due to the skeletal operations of the commercial banks. Banks in Apapa Port City were partially closed as operations inside the bank were suspended except for withdrawals and transfers at the ATMs.

This was made worse by poor network and poor internet service fluctuation that made even ATM withdrawals and transfers difficult.

“Some Customs Agents did not come out in full force to take delivery of their consignments due to the uncertainty that surrounds the ongoing protest,” said Tony Anakebe, a clearing and forwarding expert,

Anakebe said that he was able to get to the Apapa Port Thursday morning without any disturbance on the road.

“But when I entered the port in the afternoon, there was nobody as the banks and even shipping companies were not open for business,” he said.

The Nigeria Customs Service had earlier through Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller general of Customs, assured the business community that Nigerian ports would remain open during the protest.

“Our ports must remain operational. Importers who bring in their goods must be able to access the ports, make declarations and clear goods by themselves or through their agents,” Adeniyi assured.

In line with this, Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port, also assured port users that business activities at the port would continue uninterrupted.

He said Customs officers in the command shall be available to discharge their usual functions and support all legitimate trade.

“Our officers shall be resuming work by 8 am on all weekdays and may work during weekends, when necessary,” Olomu added.

Disassociating their members from the protest, Segun Oduntan, vice president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) said the Federal Government’s decision to suspend import duties and taxes on essential food items is commendable, but that the government should consider the removal of levies and import duties on used vehicles.

He called on the government to address issues affecting businesses and the economy.