WHARF RATS RETURN: Four Vehicles Vandalised At Ports And Cargo Terminal

Roland Ekama, Lagos

 

A 40 feet container laden with four vehicles has been vandalised by suspected Wharf rats at SIFAX owned Ports and Cargo terminal, Tin Can Island Port, investigations have revealed.

 

The container with vehicles were vandalised penultimate Thursday, even as the shipper has been assured of compensation by the terminal operator to pay back all lost items from all the four vehicles.

 

It was also gathered that Chief Security Officer at the SIFAX owned terminal has been suspended over the stolen items from the containerised vehicles.

 

The vehicles include: two Toyota Camry 2012 model and Toyota Camry 2010 model respectively.

 

Items stolen from the vehicles include; side mirrors and sophisticated bottoms.

 

Meanwhile, the affected clearing agent to the importer of the consignment and Chairman Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN ), Tincan Island chapter, Comrade, Jude Ige told DAILYFOCUS NEWS ONLINE exclusively last week that the terminal operator lacked security apparatus, which in turn led to the vandalised container.

 

Ige alleged that lack of Circuit Camera Television (CCTV), resulted to pilferage at the facility, adding that other terminals within Tin Can Port were well equipped with such security apparatus.

 

He further alleged that security personnel at the terminal are not properly trained to manage security related issues at the seaport ,calling on management of the terminal to strategically place more CCTV and improve on its security related activities.

 

While reacting to the allegations leveled against the concessionaire, spokesman of SIFAX Group, Mr. Muyiwa Akande noted that CCTV are strategically positioned at the terminal adding that no security personnel was suspended or sacked as a result of the development.

 

Asked if dockworkers at the terminal might be responsible for the vandalism, the spokesman said “I don’t think so because I wouldn’t want to assume ”

 

He noted that the concessionaire recently appointed a security expert as its Chief Security Officer (CSO) pointing out “it is untrue to say we sacked anyone over any form of allegations leveled against us.