There are clear indications that some executives and members of the now-disbanded Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) have abandoned their deposed leader in the midst of escalating controversy over the legal existence of the group.
Recall that COMTUA was established in 2019 by the seven unions and associations operating in the ports, to aid free flow of traffic and tackle the unending traffic gridlock.
Apparently dissatisfied with controversies over its operational modalities and doubts over its continued existence, in July 2023, at a ceremony in Lagos, six of the associations which include: the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners, AMATO, and four other founding groups officially disbanded COMTUA and signed-off its Memorandum of Understanding.
They consequently dissolved the body and warned that nobody should relate with COMTUA under the leadership of one Mr Yinka Aroyewun any further, under any guise, declaring that “whoever parades himself as executive of the body should be treated as an impostor and subsequently arrested.”
Our correspondent was told that, subsequently, a new body called “Nexus Association of Maritime Transport Operators” (NAMTOP) was floated as the only recognized body of Maritime Truck Unions.
Similarly, in November 2023, the Lagos State government through its Ministry of Transportation created the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC) led by Alhaji Lukman Shittu Zangalo, to serve as a link between the government and the maritime trucking community.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that Zangalo, in a letter dated 14/01/2024, addressed to truckers and members of the Port Community and obtained by our correspondent, highlighted a brewing crisis between factions of NAMTOP, while emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to avert a potential industry-wide crisis.
In a chat with Shipping Position Daily, Vice President of NAMTOP, Mr. Rilwan Bello shed light on the brewing controversy between COMTUA and NAMTOP. He highlighted ongoing efforts by LASTCOC to reach an agreement within the industry, adding that some individuals had made attempts to form a faction of NAMTOP, after the disbandment of COMTUA.
Mr. Bello however revealed that those attempting to ‘dualize’ NAMTOP would face resistance asserting that NAMTOP holds the official registration and a legal action would be pursued to resolve any disputes through a court of competent jurisdiction.
In his words: “Since the inauguration of LASTCOC, we have been trying to get a means of agreement within ourselves on the way forward. Those doubting ‘Thomases’ that think nothing can be done without them are now seeing that it has become a reality. They want to play the card of dualizing NAMTOP. But as God will have it, we are the ones that is carrying the registration of NAMTOP. We would challenge the process and get that sorted at a court of competent jurisdiction very soon.
Highlighting the organisational structure within the truckers’ community, Bello clarified the distinction between LASTCOC and NAMTOP, stating that “LASTCOC operates as a committee within Lagos state, facilitating communication with the Ministry of Transport. However, NAMTOP is the overall body, surpassing LASTCOC in both size and significance, serving as the primary association for all truckers”.
All efforts to seek clarification on COMTUA’s position and the status of its relationship with NAMTOP were met with resistance. When contacted, the Organizing Secretary of COMTUA, Mr Collins Dike evaded questions regarding the current status of COMTUA and the escalating discord with NAMTOP.
However, Dike shed light on the broader challenges faced by truckers, noting that LASTCOC is actively working to subdue the activities of these miscreants, and there have been noticeable improvements.
“I have no comment as regards the crisis between LASTCOC and COMTUA. All I can say is that these miscreants are actually in direct contact and collaboration with the enforcement agencies making cost of doing business high. I believe the LASTCOC is working on subduing the activities of these miscreants and there have been improvements”, Dike noted.
On his part, the Administrative Secretary of AMATO, Bala Muhammed asserted that AMATO is not affiliated with COMTUA, and he does not recognize its continued existence.
According to Muhammed, COMTUA has been disbanded by its founding members as well as other associations that were instrumental to its formation. He emphasized that COMTUA, in its previously recognized form, no longer exists.
Addressing concerns about individuals claiming leadership of COMTUA, Muhammed dismissed them as impostors, stating that “Whoever is fronting COMTUA or parading himself as the head of COMTUA is just an impostor. COMTUA does not exist as far as I am concerned, “he concluded.
