By Ifeyinwa OBI
The Ministerial Task Force,  recently inaugurated by the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, to degongest the Ports, has  uncovered large – scale irregularities, especially in the collection of unauthorized charges in all the terminals it has so far visited.

The seven-member Task Force, which has Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa as chairman,  said it  had so far inspected Port and Cargo Terminal, PTML, Tin Can Island Container Terminal as well as Five Star Logistics (all at Tin Can Island port) and APMT, ENL Consortium at the Lagos Port Complex.

According to her, the same story of collection of illegal charges and unwholesome practices,  which make cargo delivery and clearance costs so exorbitant,  permeate all the terminals.

The Task Force is expected to conclude its inspection this week with visits to Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and Lillypond Container Terminal.

Confirming the discoveries, Mrs Ezenwa, said  that the team which also has freight forwarders as members  met with chief executives and relevant management personnel at the terminals, as well as the Customs Areas Controller at both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.