The recent ejection of some agencies at the country’s seaports has been described as a bold step that was overdue.

The Zonal Vice  President, Maritime Workers union of  Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Wath Harry made the assertion an interview with the Tide correspondent in his office in Port Harcourt recently.

Comrade Harry said, most of the agencies have no business at the Ports, but cause delay in operations and duplicate duties, thereby making port activities cumbersome.

He said some agencies also split their activities and operations into units which had for some time brought about ports congestions as a result of delay in clearing  of goods at the ports.

The union leader noted that they have been on joining other stakeholders like the clearing  and forwarding agencies and  other relevant bodies on the need to cut down the agencies at the ports thereby welcoming the development as a step in the right direction to save the nation’s ports.

“Ports are restricted areas by law , therefore anybody that does not have any business to do there, supposed not to go to that area” he said, stressing that it is like asking National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to go to the ports.

According to him, now that some Agencies have gone, it is expected that activities at the Nigerian seaports would be facilitated and well organised.

Comrade Harry however called on the Customs and Exercise to redouble their efforts and do their best to ensure that goods are cleared with ease after necessary clearance.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government recently announced a marching order on some agencies to park their bags and baggage and leave the ports as their services are no longer required.

The step was part of efforts to reform the Nigerian seaports for better services, to conform with the international practices.