TheCable

Ibrahim Baba, a former house of representatives member, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to relocate seaports operations in Lagos to Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

The former lawmaker made the call in letter addressed to the president on Thursday.

The head office of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos Island was set ablaze when hoodlums attacked the building on Wednesday.

Several vehicles were burnt and other properties torched.

In the letter, Baba said the incident will affect operations at the Lagos seaport which will consequently impact the nation’s economy.

He urged the government to expand operations in other ports in order to provide alternative means of facilitating local and international trades.

“Owing to the ongoing security threats by a coalition of rogue politicians and notorious criminals hiding behind the veneer of #EndSARS in parts of the country, which led to the burning down of the Nigerian Ports Authority complex in Lagos and other vital economic installations, I write to humbly advise the federal government to immediately order the relocation of all seaports operations in Lagos to Port Harcourt, Rivers State so that the nation’s economy is not adversely affected,” the letter read.

“Already, there are two major seaports in Rivers State – the Rivers ports and the Onne port – that can successfully execute all the international shipping businesses that have been going on in Lagos.

“And may I also advise that similar ports in Calabar, Cross Rivers State and elsewhere be enhanced, and completion works on the Baro port in Niger State should be expedited so that the country can have various alternative means of facilitating local and international trade.

“This will also help free the nation from possible threats and blackmails by gangsters who could destroy or hijack a particular port in order to sabotage the nation’s economy.

“It is my candid view that, while you lead the patriotic onslaught against those who want to undermine the country’s corporate integrity and stability, the nation’s economic arteries should also be multiplied and protected.”