The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has said that it is set to remove all articulated trucks that are indiscriminately parked on port roads and highways.
Chief Remi Ogungbemi, the National Chairman of AMATO, told our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday that the association had received an offer of a large parcel of land from an investor.
He said that the investor, a concessionaire, planned to change the face of parking of trucks at the ports.
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has said that it is set to remove all articulated trucks that are indiscriminately parked on port roads and highways.
Chief Remi Ogungbemi, the National Chairman of AMATO, told our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday that the association had received an offer of a large parcel of land from an investor.
He said that the investor, a concessionaire, planned to change the face of parking of trucks at the ports.
Ogungbemi said that the investor wanted truck owners to relocate their trucks that were being indiscriminately parked around Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports.
He said that the offer included the provision of 2,000 brand new trucks to be given out to truck owners on hire purchase basis.
“I am delighted, every one of us is happy. It is like a dream, even me, I thought I was dreaming, not until I started sleeping, waking up, thinking; is this how God favours people.
“God has sent the person to come and liberate us out from the shackles and mess and encumbrances that have been militating against the survival and stability of our business.”
Ogungbemi said the association had accepted the offer and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the investor.
He said that the terms and conditions of the offer were mild, but failed to disclose what the investor would benefit from the contract.
Ogungbemi said that the land was already being equipped with facilities for use by truck owners and drivers.
“It is the solution to the problem that we have been having at the ports. This place will provide toilets and bathroom for the drivers.
“ I am also talking to you about a place that will also have a restaurant, where the drivers can eat as many times as they like.
“Very soon the renovation will commence. The contract has been awarded to the people that will carry out the renovation,’’ he said.
The AMATO chairman said that the land would serve as a yard for the truck owners and a warehouse for safekeeping of goods loaded on the trucks, drivers’ lodge and maintenance workshops.
He said that the gesture by the investor would change the face of trucking business in the country and called on all the association members to make the vision a success.
Ogungbemi said that AMATO would collaborate with NARTO, RTEAN and other truckers across the nation to enjoy the facility.
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