By Foster Obi
The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has shelved its planned protest to register its displeasure over “the deplorable state of the examination bay and horrible scanning operations of APM Terminals (APMT) Apapa.”
APMT is regarded as Nigeria’s largest container terminal.
National Coordinator of the team, Ibrahim Tanko said the group is highly incensed at the poor services rendered by the APMT and the sabotage of Nigeria’s economy by the terminal.
The group which had planned to storm APM Terminals, Tuesday 13th June decided to step down the protest after intelligence feelers showed that “an army of hoodlums have been hired to disrupt our operations and hijack the peaceful protest.
“We also gathered that APM Terminals have planted saboteurs for the same purpose”, Tanko said, adding, “We know that some high officials have been given millions of money to scuttle our plans, but we are not perturbed, neither are we intimidated.”
He also noted that the team decided to stave off the protest after the intervention of the Customs Area Controller for Apapa who “summoned APMT for consultations”, and the Commissioner of Police, Western Port Command who appealed for calm.
“He also invited us to a meeting 14th June for dialogue while commending us for our maturity. “He went to the terminal to see things for himself. Other security agencies including the port security officer have also keyed into dialogue mode with us, “ Tanko noted.
“In the light of the above we had to suspend the planned peaceful protest, “ he said, adding, “it is only a suspension. We stand ready to mobilise our members if we don’t notice an appreciable improvement in the examination bay and improved scanning operations, “ he warned.
