The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Barr. Hassan Bello has warned private and government security operatives extorting truck drivers at the seaports to desist from the act or be prepared to face the wrath of the government.
Bello, who gave the warning after an emergency meeting with stakeholders, said the council has been inundated with complaints of extortion of truck drivers while accessing the seaports and terminals.
Truck drivers had embarked on an industrial action over what they described as massive extortion of their members by security operatives at the gates to the ports.
They, however, called off the strike last week.
Bello said, “It has come to the notice of Nigerian Shippers’ Council that trucks assigned either to drop empty containers or pick up shipments from the Ports/Terminals are being requested to pay certain amounts of money before being allowed to gain access to the ports and terminals.
“Nigerian Shippers’ Council is hereby advising all stakeholders, especially those who are in the habit of perpetrating this unwholesome practice to desist from such and any practices capable of jeopardizing the ease of doing business at our ports.”