Again, Truck Drivers Lament Extortion by LASTMA Officials

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has cried out once again over alleged extortion by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) whom they claimed usually  collect exorbitant sums of money from petroleum trucks.
The union members alleged that anytime one of their trucks falls on Lagos roads due to the bad nature of the roads, the LASTMA official usually demand neck-breaking bribe before they can retrieve the truck.

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has cried out once again over alleged extortion by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) whom they claimed usually  collect exorbitant sums of money from petroleum trucks.
The union members alleged that anytime one of their trucks falls on Lagos roads due to the bad nature of the roads, the LASTMA official usually demand neck-breaking bribe before they can retrieve the truck.
A member of the union, Mr. Owolabi Jimoh who spoke with Shipping Position Daily at Ascon petroleum products depot last week, alleged categorically that anytime one of their trailers fall and spill its content, the LASTMA collects N200, 000.
According to him, immediately the tanker falls, the LASTMA officials will tow it to their office around Mile 2 area where failure to pay the money on time the truck starts accruing demurrages.
“They collect N200, 000 from our drivers anytime our truck upturns on the way, despite the fact that it is not done intentionally, it is as a result of the bad roads, they will tell you that towing the truck is N95, 000, ticketing N48, 000, gate fee N22, 000 as well as demurrage of N1, 500 per day” Owolabi said.
He pointed out that during the era of former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, the towing of faulty trucks was N14, 000, but that the money has since skyrocketed.He pointed out that after going through the trauma of losing the products that is inside the truck, the owner will also be made to pay these exorbitant charges.
A truckload of PMS according to him is worth N3, 301,000, while that of AGO is worth N5, 115,000.
He however assured that the union has tried all they could on the issue, and still looking into it because according to him, it is worrisome.
Confirming this practice, the Chairman of the PTD task force around the Ibafon jetty, Alhaji Ismaila Oshoku told our correspondent that the LASTMA officials usually collect the money, especially, the exorbitant towing fee.