Extortion on port roads :  MAJAN Recommends Permanent Solution To Hoodlums Activities At Truck -Out Points

Extortion on port roads :  MAJAN Recommends Permanent Solution To Hoodlums Activities At Truck -Out Points

The Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) has commended the Lagos State Government and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the quick intervention in averting truckers’ planned strike as a result of extortion and harassment by hoodlums along the Port corridor.

In a communique issued at the end of its monthly meeting, held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at its Secretariat in Apapa, Lagos, the Association addressed issues affecting the State of the Nation.

More so, MAJAN suggested that Lagos State Government and NPA should intensify effort in tackling the extortion by mounting security surveillance at specific points along TinCan-Mile 2 Port corridor, in order to ward off further incursion by hoodlums.

MAJAN emphasised :  “Security agencies/personnel that will mount the surveillance points should not turn the place to another checkpoint for extortion as this will be counter productive.”

Similarly, the Association also identified hike in petroleum pump price as being responsible for the economic hardship currently experienced by Nigerians, and consequently suggested that government should deploy measures to cushion the effect of this hardship.

“Government should give financial subvention, provide materials for farmers, subsidize transportation costs, among others. Items such as fertilizer, seedlings, herbicides, water pumping machines and animal feeds should be made available to farmers as incentives to boost productivity,” the Association said.

The group wondered where the money removed from subsidy was ploughed. It urges the government to tell Nigerians how they have utilised the money removed from subsidy and what sector of the economy has the money been invested, so that people can understand the efforts government is making to rejuvenate the economy.

Why urging the government to protect consumers from exploitation, the group posited that Nigerians should also hold their State Governors and the local governments accountable For the current hardship in the land. MAJAN advised that the monthly allocation to State governments and local governments should be properly utilised.

The group also urged government to revamp the refineries and get them working. It noted that if the refineries in the country are operational,  the nation would not be facing the current issue of fuel scarcity across Nigeria.