ISPS Code Ultimatum: Truckers Conform To FG Directives

Even as the nation awaits the verdict of the US Coast Guard on the state of compliance with the International Ships and Ports facility security (ISPS) code, there are indications that the truck drivers are gradually in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive to evacuate trucks from the access roads leading to the two seaports in Lagos.
The quit order was handed down about two weeks ago.

Even as the nation awaits the verdict of the US Coast Guard on the state of compliance with the International Ships and Ports facility security (ISPS) code, there are indications that the truck drivers are gradually in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive to evacuate trucks from the access roads leading to the two seaports in Lagos.
The quit order was handed down about two weeks ago.
Investigations carried out by Shipping Position Daily, yesterday at the two ports in Lagos revealed that trucks waiting to lift cargo from the ports are parked several metres away from the ports.
At the premier port; the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), it was gathered that the trucks were not visible within the port gate, thereby engendering a smooth flow of vehicular traffic in and out of the port.
While the popular Wharf Road had some trucks parked some distance away from the port gate, the Creek Road end witnessed trucks that are parked at farther distance either to lift or to drop empty containers.
At Tin Can Island port, a noticeable long queue of trucks was seen, even though the trucks were parked a bit far from the port gate.
However treasurer, Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); Comrade Gerard Horison told Shipping Position Daily that the compliance with the  ISPS code by truckers  is temporal because the government will not be able to sustain the orderliness.
According to him, the government should provide a holding bay for the trucks and give directive to truck owners on the modus operandi.
He added that the movement of trucks to the Trade Fair Complex will not be possible, pointing out that it is not binding on the various trucking associations.
The RTEAN chieftain called the government to assist the truck owners from the molestation by some government agencies, adding that the extortion on the part of officials of some government institutions operating in the ports in Lagos state is unbearable.
Shipping Position Daily had reported yesterday that the truck owners had suspended relocation of trucks from Apapa to Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, due to what they explained as bad roads.
The chairman of Association of Maritime Truck Owners; chief Remi Ogungbemi  had said in Lagos last Friday that the deplorable state of the Lagos-Badagry Road had made the relocation unrealistic.The Trade Fair Complex is on the Lagos-Badary Road.
 “I am confirming that the relocation has not begun due to some difficulties that we cannot overlook.“The deplorable state of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway is a major challenge.
“The bad road has made the movement of the trucks difficult, and we cannot take such a risk,” Ogungbemi he said..