A ring of syndicates benefiting from illegal multi-million Naira daily earnings has been torn apart in the truckers’ fraternity. The burst follows disputes over the collection of levies, which have also led to serial conflicts among various trucking associations.
Our correspondent observed that the Tin Can Island Port, which is a crucial artery of Nigeria’s maritime industry, has become embroiled in a bitter conflict fueled by vested interests in the daily levies being collected from truckers.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that the conflict is about who has the right to collect and manage these funds, pitting various trucking associations and their kingpins against one other in a web of accusations, petitions, and even physical assaults, sometimes resulting in causalities.
Recall that tensions reached a boiling point last week when a violent clash erupted at the Tin Can port axis, resulting in severe injuries in attacks by rival truckers groups.
Findings indicated that the root of the conflict lies in the substantial daily earnings generated from trucking activities at the Tin Can port, amounting to millions of Naira daily.
These revenues have become a source of contention, with different factions vying for control and a share of the profits.
Even though the exact amount of the un-receipted daily levies remains unknown, reports suggest it could be as high as several million of Naira. This significant sum has attracted the attention of multiple groups, each vying for control.
The Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC), the National Association of Maritime Truck Owners (NAMTOP), Nexus Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP), including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), are some of the key players locked in this contentious rivalry.
The disruptions caused by the conflict have not only resulted in financial losses but have also strained relations between different stakeholders within the port system.
Our correspondent gathered that the quest for the daily earnings and abuse of laid down operational guidelines had led to the dissolution of the Committee of Maritime Trucks Union and Associations (COMTUA), the formation of another association with the acronym NAMTOP, and the formation of yet another with the same acronym of NAMTOP. There is yet another committee that was reportedly set up by the Lagos State Government; known as LASTCOC to collect levies from truckers.
Meanwhile, efforts to quell the unrest and restore order were initiated last week at the instance of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), which had lost four of its members last year to the fracas that ensued among the truckers.
The President General of MWUN, Com. Adewale Adeyanju, while speaking at a peace parley at the union’s headquarters in Lagos, warned against the invitation of external forces from within and outside Lagos State to unleash mayhem on truckers operating at the Lagos seaports by any of the trucking associations, as that would be counterproductive and may threaten the spirit and letters of the peace pact.
Adeyanju stated that member associations do not need external forces to have a good collaboration.
Citing an incident that happened at Tincan Island Port recently where some hoodlums were invited to the port to attack innocent truckers carrying out their legitimate business, the President General warned that the MWUN would not hesitate to pull out of the peace treaty if hooliganism becomes part and parcel of the collaboration.
Affirming that ‘mercenaries’ were involved in the recent fracas at Tin Can port axis, Adeyanju said: “We have responsible workers that can support this collaboration; we don’t need external forces from Ijora, Idi-Oro, Akala, Mushin to come and support your aspirations. We don’t need that; the workers are equal to the task. I can sit down in my office and give a signal not to load a truck if it has not paid our check-off dues, without bringing external forces. The law is very clear.
“And if we are collaborating, we are collaborating because of the attitude of some of the security agents attacking the investors; those are the businessmen, charging them unjustly by way of collecting N100,000, N50,000 per truck, and that is why we said enough is enough. We are all Nigerians; you should allow people that have invested so much money and energy into the trucking business to enjoy the dividend of their investments.
“And that is why, at Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, we are not after anybody, but our annoyance in this whole thing was as a result of incessant attacks in the port. You want to do business, and you are bringing forces to come and attack the port every day and every time. About two years ago, we lost five of our members as a result of this collaboration coming from the Lagos State Government. I am sure the authorities are aware, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Ports is here; he is aware, he handled the case. We lost five of our members as a result of bringing in external forces.
“What happened at Tincan Island was an eyesore, the police can testify to it, gunshots were the order of the day, and they were alleging the wrong people. If eventually one of the stray bullets entered a docker, what is going to happen? And even those that were butchered like animals, are they not human beings? We should respect ourselves.”
Speaking with our correspondent as to why the trucking associations are embroiled in the imbroglio, Mr Abdullahi Inuwa, a member of NARTO, highlighted that the root cause of the imbroglio lies in the interference of external actors, both state and non-state, along the trucking corridor.
He emphasized that removing these disruptive forces has led to retaliatory actions, as they attempt to regain control.
Despite these challenges, Inuwa stressed the importance of prioritizing the welfare of truck drivers and safeguarding business interests against those obstructing their operations. He expressed optimism that collaboration among stakeholders, combined with holistic intervention from government bodies like the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, would lead to lasting peace and benefit the transport sector as a whole.
“A truck is an investment that only God knows the number of people that are benefiting from a single truck. And there is no reason for a truck worker to find himself in a violent situation. So I believe that all those stakeholders that came to MWUN the other day, they are responsible people, and we believe that what is paramount there is the welfare of our drivers and also to protect the interests of our businesses against those who are obstructing us. And I believe that the peace that has been shown through our leaders, and it is something that will unite us and come together”.
