By Joshua Yousouph
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the major sources of the perennial gridlock around the ports in Lagos and emergence of corrupt practices at the port is as a result of disunity amongst trucking associations as well as lack of adequate holding bays, among other issues .
Speaking during a two-day Seminar organised by the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) on the implementation of Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) in Lagos on Wednesday, the FRSC Sector Commander of Lagos State, Corp Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide noted that the genesis of the challenges faced in the haulage and logistics sides of port operations is traceable to the failed alternative modes in the transportation of cargoes.
Ogungbemide said that about 360 trucks are loaded from Apapa to other parts of Lagos on weekly basis on a road network that accommodates 1.2m vehicles running in Lagos daily. He added that the lack of adequate holding bays has made the port access roads dilapidated due to the excessive high tonnage on cargoes on the roads.
The Sector Commander lamented lack of training schools for driver of articulated vehicles in Nigeria, noting that majority of the truck drivers operating are the ports are not trained.
Ogungbemide stressed the need for regular sensitization of drivers, political will on the part of government agencies to perform their duties, and the control the use of hard drug and drunk driving by truckers as key areas of concern.
“Many truck drivers come to Lagos as decent drivers, but having been kept in Lagos for three months under these harsh conditions, what kind of behaviour would you think a man that has not taken his birth for three months will put up; all because of the level of injustice he has been exposed to? He will certainly leave the holding bays and park on the road.
“The way forward is to have regular sensitization of drivers, the political will of government agencies to perform their duties, control the use of hard drug and drunk driving by truckers” Ogungbemide concluded.
On his part, the Head of Operations, Truck Transit Parks (TTP), Mr Irabor Okonoman noted that TTP has been able to provide adequate control and scheduling of trucks movement in and out of the ports.
Reacting to allegations of only approving parks belonging to the cronies of the management of TTP, Okonoman noted that there are specific guidelines for the approval of truck parks in Lagos and once the guidelines are fully-met, the park will be approved, adding that there is no case of monopoly.
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Also speaking, the National President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners Association (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi noted that many of the policies made by the government are too harsh on truckers as there are no adequate facilities provided in line with the minimum safety standards.
Ogungbemi stressed that many truck drivers operating at the ports do not have valid driver’s license and vehicle documents, adding that truckers are the architects of extortion at the port corridors due to their non-compliance.
He however called on the government to set up a committee to look into the anomalies and also review the harshness of some of their policies on the roads.
On his part, the National Secretary of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Mr Aloga Ogbodo noted that the problems faced in the industry are regulatory such as lack of holding bays by tank farms.
Ogbodo noted that there are no banks or adequate palliatives for the transport sector, hence making it difficult for truckers to comply. He however called on the government to address all specific issues affecting the welfare of truckers in the country.
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