How govt agency invaded Shipping Coys in commando style, by Comr. Asonye
...Say workers will go on strike if gov’t does not stop the invaders
The Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies (SSASCFA) has condemned in strong terms the forceful invasion of the premises of five shipping companies by the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Monday.
The association described the invasion as a threat to her members lives, saying two of their members fainted and were rushed to the hospitals owing to the commando style at which the commission stormed the Lagos based shipping companies with uniformed men armed to the teeth.
The association disclosed that personal phones and laptops of staff were seized including that of Custms Brokers who came to the companies to carry out their lawful businesses.
The President General of SSASCFA, Comr. Harrison Ugochukwu Asonye, disclosed that the invaders grounded operations in Cosco Shipping Nigeria Limited, Hullblyth Nigeria Limited, CMA/CGM Nigeria Limited, Lagos and Niger Shipping Agencies Limited ( LANSAL) and Hapag Llyod Shipping Nigeria Limited and proceeded to unleash mayhem on innocent working members of the union.
While calling for an investigation into the invasion, the association warned that should such invasion continue, the association might be forced to protest the barbaric act.
He noted that members of the union shouldn’t be held hostage as they are only staff of the companies which the invader claimed that they came for.
He however noted that the association was not against government agencies doing their work, but said laid down procedures should be followed.
Comr Asonye said: “It is an embarrassment that a government agency will have to come in a commando style to invade some of these shipping companies
“We may end up loosing our customers as a result of the invasion as individuals phones were collected and even our members phones were collected while they downloaded data’s and monitored the personal Whatsapp of our members, this is against their freedom as citizens of Nigeria
“Up til now we are not aware of what they want, even the management is not aware, Nigeria Shippers’ Council is not aware and we don’t know what is going on.
“We maybe forced to go on a warning strike, if the government do not address this forceful invasion.
“We know there will be economic loss, but our lives is worth much more than the demurrage that will be incurred” he said.