The National Executive Council of the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has condemned what it described as the continued lawlessness, impunity, and mounting of illegal checkpoints by the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Operations Committee (LASTCOC) along the Lagos port access corridor.

The transport union made the condemnation following LASTCOC’s alleged disobedience to the resolutions reached at a peace meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command, Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement by the National President of COMTUA, Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun, the union disclosed that the meeting was convened in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police on zero tolerance for extortion and illegal roadblocks along port transit routes.

According to the statement, stakeholders, including representatives of COMTUA and LASTCOC, met at the Western Ports Command Headquarters to resolve operational bottlenecks impacting port logistics.

Detailing the directives agreed upon during the security meeting, COMTUA stated: “At that meeting, it was clearly and unequivocally agreed and directed that: No Union, Association or Committee is permitted to conduct any Union or Committee business, mount checkpoints, or collect any form of levy, toll or ticket on the port corridor – from Coconut, TinCan, Apapa to Mile 2 and From Ijora to Apapa port.”

The association, however, expressed concern that despite all parties pledging commitment to the directive to guarantee free traffic flow, LASTCOC operatives returned to the routes hours later.

“Sadly, less than 24 hours after that agreement, LASTCOC operatives returned to the road this morning, mounted illegal roadblocks, and resumed illegal toll collection, extortion and harassment of truckers with greater impunity. This is a direct affront to the authority of the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command, a contempt of the Nigeria Police Force, and a deliberate act capable of causing a breach of public peace,” Aroyewun stated.

Reiterating its position on the developments along the maritime corridor, COMTUA outlined key declarations that: “LASTCOC has disobeyed a lawful agreement reached before the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command. This is unacceptable and provocative.

“The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, and other Federal Government Agencies have condemned toll collection on the port access roads.”

The continuation of this illegal collection by LASTCOC despite these condemnations and Police directives shows it is operating above the law.

“We warn all truckers and COMTUA members: Do not allow yourselves to be extorted. Do not buy LASTCOC tickets. Do not pay any money at any illegal checkpoint. Every payment encourages them.

“The continuous extortion and blockage of the road by LASTCOC is capable of leading to a total breakdown of law and order and a breach of public peace on the port corridor. Our members are highly agitated and restive,” he stated.

The union called on security agencies to intervene immediately to avert breakdown of law and order and protect economic activities around the nation’s primary seaports.

“We therefore call on the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command, to enforce the resolutions of the meeting he convened yesterday, to immediately disband all LASTCOC checkpoints on the port corridor, and to arrest and prosecute those who have chosen to disobey his lawful directive. COMTUA remains law-abiding and committed to the peace and economic growth of the ports, but we will not allow any illegal committee to turn the port road to a toll gate. Enough is Enough,” the union concluded. (The Guardian)

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