The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has again called on the government to provide vital backing for the creation of a modern truck marshalling yard that can accommodate up to 5,000 trucks in Lagos, a move that could potentially alleviate the mounting congestion at the country’s ports.
Chief Oluremi Ogungbemi, President of AMATO, emphasized the urgent need for this initiative, pointing out that inadequate parking facilities for trucks remain a major challenge facing the industry.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Shipping Position Daily , Ogungbemi stated that while truck owners do their best to manage their vehicles, the lack of a designated space to park trucks coming from across the country exacerbates the situation.
He explained: “We have discovered a location within Lagos, about three kilometers from Apapa and Tin Can Ports that can accommodate up to 5,000 trucks. However, we cannot implement this project alone. We need the support of the state and the federal government to make it a reality.”
Ogungbemi further noted that the absence of a functional marshalling yard, coupled with the high cost of replacing old trucks and the poor state of Nigerian roads, have placed a heavy burden on truck owners. According to him, a modern facility with adequate infrastructure would go a long way in reducing the pressure on the ports and improving the trucking business.
The AMATO President also lamented the current state of affairs at the Lekki-Epe corridor, with the ongoing e-call-up system by the government. While he acknowledged the importance of automation in regulating truck movement, he pointed out that the lack of proper infrastructure like marshalling yards limits the effectiveness of such systems.
Ogungbemi’s call for action, follows years of struggle to address the systemic challenges faced by truck owners. As someone who has been a key voice in the sector for decades, Ogungbemi is pushing for comprehensive solutions to issues such as road infrastructure, vehicle replacement, and law enforcement practices.
“In my view, the government needs to consider three critical things to alleviate the problems in our sector: first, the provision of modern marshalling yards; second, intervention to help replace old trucks; and third, better road conditions,” Ogungbemi urged.
The AMATO President’s plea for state backing is an attempt to move the conversation beyond short-term solutions like scheduling fees, calling for long-term investment to transform the trucking industry into a more efficient and sustainable sector.
