owners in the maritime industry have taken the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to the cleaners for failing to fulfil its promises during last year truck standardisation exercise.
The truck owners under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) condemned the last exercise that was carried out by NPA, saying that it was a total failure despite the money collected from truckers.
The Executive Secretary of NARTO;Aloga Ogbogo told newsmen in his office at the weekend that all the promises made by the NPA were not fulfilled.
He said this on the heels of the latest initiative by the NPA to rid the ports of rickety trucks which is to be enforced by the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC).
He said that the management of NPA had promised to erect automated gates at ports’ entrances and that the port gates would automatically open for any truck that has the sticker.
He added that the NPA, through its western port management said that the initiative would eliminate extortion at the gates, he lamented that none of the promises was fulfilled.
"Last year, they came up that we should buy these stickers and that if we purchased them, trucks will just come and as you approach the gate, it would open and you would entre.
"In the quest for doing this thing, we said we would be prepared to pay as long as it would reduce extortion, are there no NPA security officials there? Has it reduced extortion?,he queried.
Speaking further, Aloga maintained that NARTO members are keying into the introduction of speed limiter as sensitisation programme has been carried out for members because according to him, it will help to reduce accidents on the roads.
Asked if there is any plan to increase charges, he said, "where are the cargoes to carry?
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