Freight forwarders under the auspices of the 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), said it has suspended its planned protest at the port.
According to a letter signed by Ibrahim Tanko, the national coordinator of the team, a copy of which was sighted by BusinessDay, the freight forwarders suspended the planned protest after the intervention of the Customs Area Comptroller of Apapa, and the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command.
Tanko said freight forwarders aborted the planned protest scheduled to take place on June 13, 2023, over the alleged poor services and the deplorable condition of the examination bay at the Apapa Port.
While claiming that scanning operations at the Apapa is also in a horrible state, he said, the team received an intelligence report that an army of hoodlums was hired to disrupt and hijack the peaceful protest.
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“Having been to the examination bay to see things for himself, the Customs Area Comptroller, Apapa, appealed to us to step down the peaceful action, promising to summon the management of the terminal for consultations,” Tanko said.
While stating that the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command has invited the team to a meeting on 14th June for a dialogue, he said, other security agencies including the port security officer have also keyed into dialogue with freight forwarders.
“We had to suspend the planned peaceful protest but, it is only a suspension. We stand ready to mobilise our members if we do not notice an improvement in the examination bay, and improved scanning operations at the Apapa Container Terminal,” Tanko warned.
He appealed to all stakeholders and sister associations that support the cause to remain calm and vigilant for the good of the country.
