Lagos – The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, STOAN, has urged the Federal Government to beef up security at all the seaports in the country, while protecting port workers against attacks.
The Chairperson of the association, Princess Vicky Haastrup, made the call in reaction to the looting and burning of the headquarter building of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, in Lagos by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests.
Haastrup said setting a national asset like the NPA headquarter building, which belongs to all Nigerians, on fire is an ignoble action, urging the Federal Government to bring the perpetrators of the act to justice.
‘We urge the government to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to justice. These are trying times for the country and it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to protect, not destroy, critical national infrastructure,” the STOAN chairperson stated.
She added: “The seaports are critical to the economic well being of Nigeria and Nigerians. Port workers are also essential service workers, so I wish to use this opportunity to urge governments at all levels to ensure that hoodlums are not allowed to gain access into the ports or launch attacks on pork workers.
“The country cannot afford prolonged interruption of port operations though we have seen severe interruptions of services at the Apapa, Tin Can and Onne Ports.
“Trucks have been unable to go in and out of the port and many perishable items are rotting away”.
