1,800 NPA Tenants Face Eviction At Tin Can Port

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that the over 1,800 tenants who are mostly clearing and forwarding agencies operating at the popular container complex at PTML Port, Tin Can, Apapa, Lagos, must leave the facility because they are illegal occupants.Speaking to LEADERSHIP Friday, the general manager, Public Affairs, Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said that since they are illegal occupants and the NPA have asked them to leave, they should vacate the facility.He said, Ask themdrivers, clearing and forwarding agents or mechanics occupying that placewhether they are legal or illegal occupants; anybody that is occupying a place illegally and is asked by the legal owner to leave should do so.The NPA had in a letter dated February 11, 2016, through its subsidiary, Seaview Properties Ltd, asked occupants of the complex to vacate their office spaces on or before September 30, 2016. However, as the eviction date draws nearer, the chairman of the Containerised Office Complex, Chukuemeka Shedrack, has pleaded for mercy from the new management of the NPA.Chukuemeka appealled to the new managing director of the NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, to look into their case and not render them homeless. He also stated that the occupants of the NPA facilities are not illegal occupants because they pay their rent.The NPA have asked us to vacate the complex by September 30. We are still appealing for them to have a re-think. We have written a letter to the new MD, but are yet to hear from her. We need to clear the impression that by the NPA that we are illegal tenants.When we meet Ms Hadiza Bala Usman and present our documents, she would know that we are not illegal tenants, we pay our rents, and have our receipts and agreements. The general manager of Seaview has told us that this is not his fight, but that the NPA ordered him to issue us the notice, he said.Chukuemeka, however, confirmed that the occupants are still intact and that none of them have got alternative office space anywhere.
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