There has been so much talk and debate among maritime stakeholders on the state of the Nigerian maritime industry and the streets of Apapa.  The debate on how the sea ports has impacted lives and businesses within Apapa is an unending dialogue. The stress of Apapa can be as lonely and as quiet as a library on Sunday mornings;  visit the same port access roads between Mondays and Fridays and you’ll  think you are either in Balogun market on Lagos Island or  the popular Alaba international market in the Ojo local government area of Lagos State

Evidently, the cumulative spiral effects of functional competitive seaports on the economy of any nation cannot be undermined. So; how does the right or wrong policy choices in the administration, regulation and supervision of Port operations affect the people and economy?

Comrade Akin Ahmad,  a maritime stakeholder, shares his thoughts on this and other maritime issues:

MM: You have lived and worked in Apapa for decades. How do you compare the Apapa of the today and decades ago?

Akin: There’s no basis for comparing the Apapa  of the eighties and the Apapa of today.  The Apapa of that  time was in transit. Today;  banks, hotels, shopping malls, residential buildings and government offices/institutions have become so many in Apapa; accounting for the massive human are vehicular traffic common in the area.

MM: There’s argument on the traffic situation in Apapa. What is…

Akin:  My brother, Apapa is a commercial hub in Lagos.  Do you know how many articulated vehicles come into and leave Apapa daily? Between the Lagos State government, NPA and other government Agencies, a lot has been achieved in terms of traffic management and control.

MM: Are you saying there are no traffic issues in Apapa?

Akin: The trucks and cars that come into Apapa are driven by human beings. Many of them do not obey traffic regulations. They do not even respect traffic officials who are assigned to ensure smooth flow of traffic. The role of state and non-state actors on the ports access roads is another matter. So don’t be carried away by social media postulations, Apapa as the host and economic gateway of the nation’s economy is thriving and ever bustling.

NPA Automated Traffic Control Barriers within the Apapa Port areas

MM: Did you hear that port Police intercepted containers duly cleared from the ports but discovered to contain some drugs and arms-allegedly so.

Akin: I heard. It is what happens when you have  too many government agencies carrying out similar roles in the ports. The matter must be thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable prosecuted.

MM: Do think revenue pursuit is an issue in this matter?

Akin: What do you mean? Revenue pursuit by Police or who?

MM Tell me what you know

Akin: I know nothing

MM: Ok, what do you think?

Akin:  I can’t think of any sane officer releasing such items into society for any reason. These are strange times but there are several officers who are very diligent and patriotic in their duties.  They will not and  cannot compromise national security for any reason. The matter is rather sensitive, don’t drag me into what I don’t know.

MM: You cannot tell me you don’t know what’s happening at Apapa Customs Command,  Tin Can, PTML, Western Marine,  Kirikiri down to mile two…

Akin:  What is happening?

MM: Are you asking me?

Akin:  Yes; I am asking you; what do you want to know?

MM: Tell me about Modernization, B’Odogwu and Customs Revenue. Are the banks sabotaging Customs?

Akin: What is sabotage?

MM:  Are you asking me?

Akin: Yes; I am asking you because you don’t seem to understand that bankers are traders. There is so much that banks could do with funds in their custody within hours not to talk of weeks and months.

MM: Could the order by the CGC for banks to release Customs revenue without delay or be fined;  be a game changer?

Akin: Which game are you talking about?

MM: My friend, answer the question

Akin: My brother, if one game changes another game plays.

MM: Are you implying that the banks could circumvent the directive without consequences?

Akin: You are the one saying it not me.

MM: Why do you like evading questions? This your cocky way of talking enlightens no one

Akin:  I am neither  Dr. Ruben Abati nor Rufai Oseni. Those two have all the answers, go meet them.

MM: They don’t live or work in Apapa.

Akin: Dey play. They don’t have to live or work in Apapa to know.

MM: It has been a displeasure talking with you.

Akin: The displeasure is caused by you asking me about issues I know nothing about.

MM: Tell me about the IMO Category C victory.

Akin: Two key demands to NIMASA; removal of the War Risk Insurance, WRI, surcharge on Nigeria bound cargoes and disbursement of the CVFF Fund. That’s when Nigerians will the feel impact of the victory. The federal government has to leverage, network and negotiate its way out of the unjustified WRI imposition by IMO member states in the Council.