The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on Friday issued a
final quit notice to squatters lodging and operating illegally within Lagos
ports.
final quit notice to squatters lodging and operating illegally within Lagos
ports.
Mr Nasir Mohammed, the Manager, Apapa Port, told the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the warning became necessary due to the
security challenges bedeviling the country.
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the warning became necessary due to the
security challenges bedeviling the country.
According to Mohammed, the port remains a security
facility and cannot accommodate all, especially those without legitimate
business.
facility and cannot accommodate all, especially those without legitimate
business.
“Like we mentioned sometimes back, recent security
assessments revealed the presence of some squatters and some other unauthorised
persons who, for one reason or the other, found their way into the port.
assessments revealed the presence of some squatters and some other unauthorised
persons who, for one reason or the other, found their way into the port.
“Now, we have identified them and what they are doing.
“Some of them claim to be responsible for providing
services to some of our sister agencies in the port.
services to some of our sister agencies in the port.
“So, for that reason, we have written to our sister
agencies inside the port, drawing attention to the fact that such persons are
not acceptable to remain inside the port.
agencies inside the port, drawing attention to the fact that such persons are
not acceptable to remain inside the port.
“We have written to the Immigration, we have written to
the Controller of Customs, Apapa Port.
the Controller of Customs, Apapa Port.
“We have written to the Area Commander and the DPO of
Apapa Port as well, drawing attention to the existence of some of these persons
who in some cases harbour around their offices.’’
Apapa Port as well, drawing attention to the existence of some of these persons
who in some cases harbour around their offices.’’
Mohammed also said that dislodgement of the squatters
would be carried out by a combined team of agencies operating at the port.
would be carried out by a combined team of agencies operating at the port.
NAN recalls that the NPA in collaboration with other
agencies had in 2014, dislodged touts hanging around the ports, especially the
customs offices.
agencies had in 2014, dislodged touts hanging around the ports, especially the
customs offices.
