NPA Helpless as Warri Indigenes Kill Delta Ports with N4,000 Illegal, Un-receipted Fee Collections At Port Gates
April 5, 2024

By DAPO OLAWUNI

There are indications that the un-ease of doing business at the Warri Ports in Delta State has taken a new dimension for the worse, further driving away stakeholders from patronising the port, even as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reneged on its promises of bringing a new lease of life to the port.

DAILY TREND investigations revealed that communities around the port have taken over the port gates at Warri Port, collecting N2,000 illegal fee which is unreceupted from every truck that is exiting the port.

Our correspondent gathered that recently, the fee suddenly increased to N4,000, thereby causing chaos and pains for importers at the port.

According to a reliable source (names withheld) who is a senior official of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the NPA gives son much emphasis to the communities around the port, and they have since taken over the port gates.

“How can these so called communities take over the port gate even to the Knowledge of NPA? They usually collect money from trucks leaving the port gates, but this morning we had a bitter experience


“A truck came to load cargo at Crown Flour Mill at Warri port, as the driver was coming out, before now they use to give the communities N2,000, but all of a sudden, they have increased it to N4,000 without informing anybody

“The driver begged them to collect the N2,000 with a promise to balance up the remaining money, this was around 5.30am when POS operators are yet to open. He urged them to write down his truck number and that they should stop him next time if he refuses to pay up


“The guy causing the confusion, his name is Obinna, he is not even a Itsekiri Indigene. For several hours, trucks were delayed at NPA gate as if they are the lord

“How can the port grow with all these types of rubbish that is being perpetrated by Indigenes of Delta Port? A money that is unreceipted being increased from N2000 to N4000, this is causing delay in exiting of cargoes from the port and importers are suffering huge losses.

Also speaking with DAILY TREND, another port user, Mr Kingsley Majemite, lamented that the kind of illegality happening at Warri Port gate can never be condoned at Lagos Ports.

“Now, how do these Indigenes expect investors to come and invest their money in Niger Delta Ports?

“The port manager here has tried severally to send these hoodlums away, but after dislodging them for a while, they usually find their way back

“The Federal Government needs to wake up from their slumber because Warri Port as far as Nigeria is concerned today, is a goldmine, but only Lagos is working and this is because of the activities of the communities who are lazy and are not ready to work

“We must not allow Delta Port to die, it is one of the goldmine where NPA is making good money apart from Apapa and Tincan Island Port. The NPA must not allow some individual interests to kill the port

“People are afraid to make use of the port because of all these, and the Ogiame, the Olu of Warri is not even in support of all these kinds of activities” Majemite stated

It is pertinent to report that apart from invasion of port gates by touts and encroahments, NPA has failed to solve the issue of the breakwaters to the port, which collapsed about ten years ago.

These has made it impossible for Warri Port to actually serve as a hub for activities in the south-south, and even some of the commercial centers in the south-east.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko had said that the Agency has observed a lot of encroachment, even on the path leading to the port and the need for NPA to take possession.

“If you drive away squatters and you don’t put those lands to use, that means you haven’t taken full possession.

They’re so large and probably too expensive to finance, so the best thing to do is to sit down and think of what commercial values they have.

“Also, we have a lot of court cases against encroachers, and I’ve asked that we should call each and every one of them for out-of-court settlements.

Some of the cases have been there for ten years, and it doesn’t really make sense; all parties are losing, and it’s about time we sit down and start negotiating so that those lands can be put to use” Bello-Koko had stated in an interview

https://dailytrend.com.ng/2024/04/05/npa-helpless-as-warri-indigenes-kill-delta-ports-with-n4000-illegal-un-receipted-fee-collections-at-port-gates/
Mynd44 nlfpmod

These has made it impossible for Warri Port to actually serve as a hub for activities in the south-south, and even some of the commercial centers in the south-east.

Now it's clear that the reason why other ports are not working is not because of the Yoruba.

Most of these 'political' ports were built to stifle the development of the Lagos ports which were denied of FG funding since the 1970s until lately when the Lagos-backed Lekki Deep Seaport took off to compete with FG-owned ports based in Lagos.

All the money that the Federal Government should have invested in Lagos ports to upgrade them and increase capacity prior to now were moved outside Lagos to build white elephant projects and almost worthless ports in Calabar, Warri etc.

That's why we ended up building our own ports, trains, major bridges like odo alaro, 4th mainland Bridge, stadia, teaching hospitals etc in Lagos state instead of waiting for FG. The politics of bad blood and envy would have killed the advancement of Lagos if we had folded our hands and kept waiting for our haters to have a change of heart.

On this issue o, I blame the Federal Government and I recommend that these ports be privatised or closed down completely since it's become an obscene liability.

May God bless Nigeria for ever! Check my signature for free stuffs!

The NPA has a security unit that should be responsible for that. If they can't handle it, they can call the Police for backup, which one is "they're helpless"? A federal government organization? 🙄

They're not serious about enforcing the law...

This issue has been there like forever.

You can see why importer will rather prefer Lagos or Onne port to doing business in Warri port.

These same people will still come and accuse the government of deliberately killing the same port they held at the jugular.

Those 2 cousins have similar behavior, refer to others as Cow and Agbero, meanwhile, many worst things are going on right under their noses in their fathers land.

santaclaws:
The Nigeria customs service is armed and their officers carry assault rifle so they're not helpless and they can enforce the law if they have to.

If anyone, indigene or non-indigene, is collecting illegal fees there, it's only because the Customs permitted them, cos it's their vicinity, they can arrest or chase them away, they're backed by law.

I'm sure if it was in the South-West, they'd have the liver to shoot their AK-47 and tear gas the extortionists.

That doesn't fall under the Nigeria Custom jurisdiction. That is strictly a civil matter which is to be handled by the police.

Even if police what to enforce and fight breaks out, will you be there to support the police even on social media?

Matters between the law enforcement authorities and the indigenous people needs to be handled with lots of caution and not by applying force.

These touts have the backing of the state government and community heads and leaders that they give returns to just like agbero in Lagos returns to the government.some people willl say it is the FG that is not making their ports to function.
The ease of doing business in some states is what is killing them,they be complaining about agberos collecting money from bus drivers in Lagos whereas you carry ordinary nylon from their market or cross ordinary gutter ,their touts will ask you to pay.

That is always the behavior of the
lazy youth of the south south which
prevents the region from generally developing
to its full potentials.

They create hostile environment by
wanting to illegally tax any development
initiative that comes to their communities.

If you come to build roads for them, they
won't allow you until you pay them.

If you come to build school or hospital
for them, they won't allow you start
anything if you don't "settle" them.

In fact, instead of carrying out the construction, they prefer you just share
the contract money with them and forget
doing the project.

The South South leaders know their
people and that is why upon all the
initiative by government, the region never
develops . 😡😡😡😡

JAMO84:
Those 2 cousins have similar behavior, refer to others as Cow and Agbero, meanwhile, many worst things are going on right under their noses in their fathers land. .

It is the human factor that makes the SW the most attractive place to live most completely today in the entire Nigeria.

Yorubas know it too and this is why, of all regions, they are the one fighting the most for regional autonomy, beyond mere words, today.

Others can learn from Yorubas they obsess with demonizing daily. Some people will never agree their own people are very troublesome and difficult to manage but we all see it.

Their unacceptable social disorders they fail to tackle and think they are hiding, by always trying to gaslight Yorubas every second of every day, will become even more visible when regional autonomy leaves each of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria in the hands of indigenes.

We will see who is who and what is what then. Shebi na SE wey thugs, cultists and cannibals are killing and bullying Professors today that will suddenly turn into mild and lawful Canada or Singapore within 2 months ba? We will see.

Personally , I am loving the BAT Government and thanking God daily he made this man of destiny our President. Of course some pain at the start but after, as is always the case with any geographical space BAT leads, those who are dedicated, focused, reasonable and progressive will be okay. Very okay.

I can't believe the NPA in warri will be claiming they can't do anything about this madness.

I think some ogas in the NPA are also collecting thier share

WeddingParol:
This issue has been there like forever.

You can see why importer will rather prefer Lagos or Onne port to doing business in Warri port.

These same people will still come and accuse the government of deliberately killing the same port they held at the jugular.

The government should own up to it's responsibilities rather than complaining, they can put a stop to those activities, call them and warn them to stop if they continue arrest them and charge them to court, don't we have laws in this country, when the government fails to carry out its responsibilities they come to blame the citizens.

This can be stopped, it even a shame they have to come and make this public

Toh

Paraman:
I can't believe the NPA in warri will be claiming they can't do anything about this madness.

I think some ogas in the NPA are also collecting thier share

You could have asked how much are they getting as percentage out of each N4,000.

They are also one of the culprits

Oghene86:


The government should own up to it's responsibilities rather than complaining, they can put a stop to those activities, call them and warn them to stop if they continue arrest them and charge them to court, don't we have laws in this country, when the government fails to carry out its responsibilities they come to blame the citizens.

This can be stopped, it even a shame they have to come and make this public

Is it not the same state police and soldiers were killed?

That was how these warri idiots killed the economy of Delta State and pushed all the oil investors to Lagos.

Delta north seems to be the only sensible people in that State and if anioma indigenes were the ones in warri, shell and co would still be headquartered in delta State today.

What is wrong with Delta state?

The NPA ogas are also getting share from the 4,000

Very good. Later they will say Yorubas do not want their Ports to function. Shey na Lagos Agberos dey go collect money for Warri Port?

CSTRR:
That was how these warri idiots killed the economy of Delta State and pushed all the oil investors to Lagos.

Delta north seems to be the only sensible people in that State and if anioma indigenes were the ones in warri, shell and co would still be headquartered in delta State today.

Shell Shell Shell Shell Shell. That's the only thing Warri people talk about. Na wah.

Reno Omokiri kinsmen

I think say na for only Lagos touts dey...

adecz:



That is always the behavior of the
lazy youth of the south south which
prevents the region from generally developing
to its full potentials.

They create hostile environment by
wanting to illegally tax any development
initiative that comes to their communities.

If you come to build roads for them, they
won't allow you until you pay them.

If you come to build school or hospital
for them, they won't allow you start
anything if you don't "settle" them.

In fact, instead of carrying out the construction, they prefer you just share
the contract money with them and forget
doing the project.

The South South leaders know their
people and that is why upon all the
initiative by government, the region never
develops . 😡😡😡😡

So much still has to be done to get investors confidence in the South South. Not even a relatively safe and peaceful Akwa Ibom is spared of cases of hostilities towards investments

Na dem sabi, I just dey pity that Delta State...kill their own region and come on social media to cry "our oyel". Very anyhow people

Okoroawusa:
I think say na for only Lagos touts dey...

At least for Lagos no matter how you craze reach as a tout, you know not to phuck with the government.

WeddingParol:
This issue has been there like forever.

You can see why importer will rather prefer Lagos or Onne port to doing business in Warri port.

These same people will still come and accuse the government of deliberately killing the same port they held at the jugular.

YoungBlackRico:
Na dem sabi, I just dey pity that Delta State...kill their own region and come on social media to cry "our oyel". Very anyhow people

FreeStuffsNG:


So much still has to be done to get investors confidence in the South South. Not even a relatively safe and peaceful Akwa Ibom is spared of cases of hostilities towards investments

Cassandraloius:
What is wrong with Delta state?

JAMO84:
Those 2 cousins have similar behavior, refer to others as Cow and Agbero, meanwhile, many worst things are going on right under their noses in their fathers land.

CSTRR:
That was how these warri idiots killed the economy of Delta State and pushed all the oil investors to Lagos.

Delta north seems to be the only sensible people in that State and if anioma indigenes were the ones in warri, shell and co would still be headquartered in delta State today.

Do you know how much Lagos Agberos collect in Lagos for every truck? Tens/Hundreds of Thousands of Naira. I saw a figure of 87,000 naira in another thread. This one is just 4,000 naira. South South dey learn where South West dey.

Useless propaganda from useless Yoruba site. Touts didn't stop Lagos port but NPA is "helpless" in Warri

tollyboy5:

Is it not the same state police and soldiers were killed?

Does that stop the government from doing it's job

south west make una just they go una thing they go, when e go clear for una eye's na when una go notice u guys have burnt the bridge between you guys and the other southern regions .. how a SW person go hate SE pass northerners self

CSTRR:
That was how these warri idiots killed the economy of Delta State and pushed all the oil investors to Lagos.

Delta north seems to be the only sensible people in that State and if anioma indigenes were the ones in warri, shell and co would still be headquartered in delta State today.

Lol u dey pour oil for land and u dey intimidate the population anioma who are igbos will do worse to shell if na their land them dey contaminate like that without massive compensation

The NPA ogas are also getting share from the 4,000

Obinna has turned to agbero in warri. And then the ignorant folks will blame Lagos for this decadence. I even thought they say no ports aside Lagos is functioning.