Apapa Youths Threaten To Disrupt Port Operations Over Marginalisation By Maritime Firms, Govt Agencies

Apparently worried about the marginalisation by maritime organisations,a body of youths under the aegis of United Apapa Youth Forum (UAYF), on Monday, threatened to disrupt port operations over neglects by private and public organisations from the maritime industry .

The group lamented that government agencies, multinational firms domiciled in Apapa , under the maritime industry have failed in there Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to engage youths in Apapa community as part of measures to give back to society.

In what could be described as an eye opener in the role of CSR by maritime organisations during the lockdown directives, the youths cautioned management of shipping companies, terminal operators, government agencies to ensure that at least a reasonable percentage of persons residing in Apapa are given preference to job opportunities in the port city, saying that indigenes from the south south region with seaports potentials are carried along and Lagos should not be an exception.

 

 

Speaking shortly after the distribution of hand sanitizers, nose masks and other palliative to the less privileged in the community, Chief Victor Kolombus Nangibo, Grand Patron of UAYF said that the youth might be forced to take drastic decision that could disrupts port operations.

Nangibo also took a swipe at the officials of Local Government Authority for failing to carry the youths along over alleged compromise with some of the maritime institutions in the area of CSR.

“The reason we are sharing the nose masks, sanitisers and other palliative we are trying to come up with is that when you see these companies around not performing their duties very well, then we need to assist the needy as a group in the community.

” I am a grassroot person and I know that it is necessary because the youth will be vulnerable to the pandemic.

“We decided to raise funds for ourselves because if we wait for these companies, this pandemic might kill us.

“We believe that this kind of situation will not be taken in other places but we are just advising that they should change their ways because if they are compromising the Corporate Social Responsibility because it is supposed to be for the youth,

“What we are seeing is that they are cutting corners with the Local Government because of we as the youth wrote to the companies and copied the Local Government chairman, and he cannot call our attention that he has seen our letter, it means he is compromising our requests. I mean that is a game play between the companies and the chairman because if you go to NPA, they will say they are doing this and that for the youth.

“Since 2013 when the forum was fully registered and approved by the Local government, we have not received any support in terms of human development.

“WACT in PH offers employment to Onne and Ipokiri youth and the way they operate in Onne is the way they should operate in Lagos.

“We know that if we disrupt their operations, we know how much the companies will lose. If they don’t want such crisis, they should consider how much they will lose.

“The situation will be uncomfortable for both the investors and the government .

On his part , President of UAYF, Comrade Abdullahi Suleiman, said the local government or companies might be sharing palliative but not items are not extended to the youth of Apapa community.

He also alleged that the youth were not being carried along saying they only make provisions for their political allies.

“UAYF as a body has not benefited from them. The last time we went to Maerskline, they were telling us that they did something for the Council.

“We are enlightening our youth on how to be healthy and we are sharing sanitizer out to them and face masks at least to stop further spread of the pandemic”, he stressed.

Meanwhile, Chief Hakeem Ogbara, a Baale of Apapa community who was on ground to receive some of the items expressed satisfaction on the innovation of the youths adding that they participated actively during in the lockdown to reach out to the less privileged.

He said his office has been engaging some the organisations to employ some of youths.

Ogbara urged the to work together and come up with a formidable force to engage the in community in order to actualise their mission and vision.

The traditional ruler called on private and government organisations to encourage the youths in line with CSR .

 

By Roland Ekama