MWUN Raises Concerns Over Proliferation Of Bonded Terminals In Amuwo Odofin

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised the alarm over the increasing number  of bonded terminals in residential areas of Amuwo Odofin in Lagos State.

The union described the proliferation of some of the terminals mostly within  Festac Town  as a menace to urban and regional planning development in the state and that of maritime operations .

 

 

 

President General of MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in a chat with newsmen recently , called on the federal and state governments to also review licenses of the operators stressing the need to  checkmate their activities .

 

While alleging that some of the operators are not licensed genuinely, by the government, the MWUN boss alleged that some of the  off dock terminals carry out customs examination of cargoes along the roads which in turn negates the rules of engagement on trade facilitation and maritime security.

 

According to him, regulations of the terminals is key because some of the operators are violating urban planning laws and that of the port act, pointing out that the proliferation of such facilities  should be nipped in the bud urgently.

 

 

 

He noted that dockworkers under the union’s watch cannot participate in  examinations in  some of these facilities because according to him, examinations of consignments are executed inappropriately.

 

 

 

The union’s  President General stressed that need for proper monitoring and enforcement on all off dock terminals within the Amuwo Odofin axis by the relevant government authorities,noting that “There are some terminals in that area where we don’t have the presences of NPA, customs ,and other relevant security personnel yet they operate, yet containers are being lifted out of those facilities.

 

Speaking further, he noted that dockworkers have no role to plan in illegal bonded terminals in Lagos calling on the relevant authorities to monitor the activities of such off dock terminal operators for security reasons.

 

Adeyanju said, “The way and manner bonded terminals are springing up in Festac Town now is alarming and we are calling on the government to carry out proper regulations  in urban areas of the state not to be converted to off terminals which will bring about pollution and anxiety.

 

“It is the responsibilities of the government to checkmate, regulate and enforce activities of those bonded terminals in that area and not the union because these road side terminals continue to constitute nuisance with all forms of illegalities.”

 

 

 

“Dockworkers operation in bonded terminals exist. But it is only those that are legitimate and approved by government that you can find our members there.

 

“Those  that are licensed and authorized by the government I will say  have a very good working relationship with us . So far the customs and NPA are able to give them permit for them to operate we are there as well but not those kind of off dock terminals that exists under the Festac Town link bridge.

 

Recall that freight forwarders have expressed worries over lack of infrastructure and handling equipment in some of the bonded terminals within the Amuwo Odofin axis of the state.

 

They also urged regulatory agencies to carried out enforcement in shutting down some of facilities .

 

 

By Roland Ekama