Stakeholders score MAJAN high for special Congress on Apapa traffic gridlock
*Says a CABAL has hijacked maritime business in Nigeria
(Written by Silas Onuoha):
Stakeholders in the maritime industry in Nigeria have commended Powerful Pen Media Chapel of Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), for successfully organising a special Congress, which focused on ways to tackle Apapa traffic gridlock impeding on port operations.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Apapa Traffic and Skyrocketing Inflation in the Country; Effects on Port Operations and the Maritime Industry’, the Chairman of Bonntex Nigeria limited, also a long standing member of ANLCA, Mr Boniface Okoye, alleged that government has allowed a CABAL to hijack maritime business in Nigeria, to the detriment of the entire economy.
He explained that the perennial traffic gridlock on Apapa ports access roads is induced by Powerful mafia in the system.
He revealed, “The fact is that barge operators are also owners of the terminals, making it extremely difficult to regulate the sector. Another challenge is insincerity on the part of regulators, who ought to be on the forefront of tackling the menace”.
In his speech, the Special Guest of Honour, Chairman, TinCan Port Chapter, National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents, Alhaji Isa kazeem, said, “Traffic gridlock contributes 35 percent to why Nigerian port is the most expensive within West African sub-region .
“Apapa and TinCan are the two most vibrant ports in Nigeria, but lacks adequate maintenance of access roads.”
He called on Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to wake up to its responsibility of managing the port access roads.
He alleged that traffic managers saddled with the responsibility of controlling the traffic are making the situation worst, by creating artificial toll-gates and collecting huge sums into private pockets.
“From Ijora, you will see over five toll-gates, even on top of the bridge. Before accessing the ports, you will pay over 400.000 into private pockets”, he disclosed.
In his remarks, the MAJAN President, Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, assured that the Powerful Pen Media Chapel, as an affiliate of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, will always live up to expectations, by constantly informing the Public on activities in the maritime industry.
He recognised the leadership of Lagos NUJ under Mr Leye Ajaji, as competent enough to move the Union forward.
From right : Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, MAJAN President, Alhaji Isa kazeem (middle), and Okwuosa, during the Congress :
Group photograph taken at the end of the Congress:
