By Joshua Yousouph
The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has settled its rift with the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT). This is even as it has promised to strengthen its collaboration to ensure seamless traffic and operations along the port corridors.
Recall that the National President of COMTUA, Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun had accused the PSTT of benefitting from bribes collected from truckers. He had also alleged that the performance of the task team is being over-exaggerated describing the recorded performances of the PSTT as lies.
The PSTT is a group constituted by government with the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) as the lead agency charged with the primary duty of reducing corruption at the ports and ensuring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are duly followed in carrying out transactions at the ports.
The team consists of officers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) , the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the NSC.
These allegations had greatly affected the relationship between COMTUA and PSTT which led to a frosty relationship between the PSST and COMTUA.
However, speaking at the annual Congress of COMTUA which held in Lagos on Friday, Aroyewun openly announced the reconciliation between COMTUA and the PSTT. He noted that the association left the committee initially because they felt it was derailing from its core purpose.
Aroyewun however stressed that with efforts by the NSC the union has decide to sheath its sword and embrace reconciliation.
In his words: “We left the committee initially because the committee seems to be derailing. But over time, with our criticism and lots of efforts of the Nigerian Shippers Council, I think we are now on track. COMTUA sees the reason to collaborate with them especially when it comes to the area of traffic in the port access roads. I want to believe that if we collaborate, we will achieve more results than what we are seeing” he said.
In his opening speech, the COMTUA boss noted that the union’s engagements with the government and other stakeholders have led to the disbandment and suspension of several tasks forces and creation of functional and supportive bodies to assist their businesses. He however promised to deliver on COMTUA’s promise to bring everyone on board and attend to their needs.
On his part, the National Coordinator of PSTT, Mr Moses Fadipe who represented the Nigerian Shippers Council at the event, noted that the team decided to welcome COMTUA back for better relationship and engagement in achieving its goals and objectives.
Fadipe however stressed that the Rules of Engagements of the committee still remains unchanged. He however urged COMTUA to strictly abide by the Rules and Engagement to avoid future disagreements.
“The COMTUA President said sometimes ago that they left the Task Team because they felt they are not doing enough but now they said they are back.
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“A father cannot have 20 children and wish that one will be out of the palace. We have welcomed them back fully as the National Coordinator. I would convey the message to the presidential task team. But be that as it may, our Rules of Engagement remain the same. It has never changed” Fadipe stressed.
Also speaking the Governor of Lagos State; Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu who was represented by the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr Damilola Emmanuel stressed on the importance of technology in the development of the haulage, logistics and transportation sector at large.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa commended the efforts and contributions of COMTUA to the development of transportation in Lagos.
Giwa who was represented by Engr. Ojo Owuro informed that in recognition of the contributions of the COMTUA, the Ministry has issued an approval recognising COMTUA as a single body. He however enjoined members of the union to shun any form of disunity but work together as one family.
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