As the March 21, 2016 fresh deadline given by the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) to truck owners approaches, investigations have revealed that, trucking business may be taken over by corporate firms, away from the one-man-one –truck tradition.
More than 75% of trucks currently doing business at the seaports in Lagos may be affected as new sets of fleet operators warm up to take over from the age-long maritime transport operators.
Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that some haulage operators and conglomerates with large fleet that have also met the minimum standards that were set by the NPA are already warming up to take the advantage of the present agitation between the truckers and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Our correspondent gathered that some corporate firms (names withheld) have shown significant interest to reel out fleet of trucks to hit the Lagos ports, an idea that the NPA is reportedly favourably disposed to, especially since the various truckers union are still reluctant about compliance.
It was learnt last week that, already some investors in the haulage sub sector are negotiating with the NPA on how to deplore more trucks to Lagos ports so as to take over maritime cargo haulage business from the current operators.
At a meeting conveyed in Lagos last week between NPA and the various road haulage interests including the unions and private firms, it was obvious that, while many existing firms have complied with the new guidelines, the unions to which the one-man-one-truck operators belong are still protesting. All the firms that attended (names withheld) confirmed their willingness to comply.
A source who is in the know of the manoeuvring, confirmed to Shipping Position Daily last week that NPA is aware of the move by the corporate firms, and that is why it is also insisting that the truckers meet the minimum requirements and also pay the N10,000 annual registration fee, which virtually all corporate fleet owners have complied with.
According to our source, 75% of trucks doing business at the ports are in deplorable condition and are not fit to do business in the ports.
Our correspondent was told that the road haulage unions are aware of this development, which is fallout of the lingering face-off between truckers and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Committee Chairman, Coalition of Ports Dry Cargo Transport Operators (CPDCTO); Alhaji Abdullahi Inuwa lamented that if the take-over is allowed to happen, the situation may lead to massive job loss.
The NARTO chieftain affirmed that the unions are aware of the development, but added that “nobody is moved as far as they yield to our demands”
He also claimed that truckers in port haulage business own 75% of trucks that are of standard, noting that it will be difficult for hijackers to break that record.
He recalled that business mogul, Alhaji Dantata had once approached truckers for amalgamation, but the process failed.
Inuwa corroborated by saying that, “we are aware of the fact that top officials from NPA,NIMASA, NNPC and other government agencies are investing heavily on haulage business ”
“It’s a good development, because it will bring about competition in the industry, but we still demand for NPA to stop the levy collection ”
Also responding to the development, Chairman ,maritime haulage section, RTEAN ,Mr. Godwin Ikeji maintained that the unions are aware of the move to hijack the haulage business, but reaffirmed that not all trucks owned by members will fizzle out of port operations.
He said there is room for competition and everybody is expected to protect their own interest as against the unforeseen development.
The chairman added that maritime truck owners in haulage business have built credible profiles with multinational companies for decades and the issue of hijack is not a threat to the operators.
Discussion about this post