NPA Clamps Down Articulated Trucks On Port‎ Access Roads

Following the expiration of March 14th, 2016 ultimatum it had given to truck owners, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday said that it has commenced a clamp down on articulated trucks littering the Apapa and Tin Can‎ ports’ access roads.
To this end, the NPA yesterday deployed a team of security agents including personnel of ; Nigerian Army, Police, LASTMA, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and NPA security department on a sensitization and awareness exercise around the port.
The NPA equally warned that any truck seized during the raid would have to pay a fine of N25,000.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent, who observed the operation, reported that the sensitization exercise lasted for several hours through Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port.
‎Also, in furtherance to the March 21st, 2016 extension of deadline for the enforcement of the minimum standard for trucks operating in the Western Ports, the NPA urged truck owners to take advantage of the extension and submit their trucks for inspection and certification.
Meanwhile, members of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO) have accused their Chairman, Chief Remi Ogungbemi of being compromised by the NPA.
The truckers at a meeting held in Apapa port yesterday reiterated that they were not going to pay the N10,000 levy for truck registration.
Some of the truckers took turn to react to the development saying: “We are kicking against the payment, by Friday this week, we will withdraw our trucks from the port access road, let us watch how NPA will implement this standardization”
“The NPA said they have registered 1,500 trucks, it is all propaganda, we will stand and watch what happens”
“We will be law-abiding, we will remove our trucks from the road and take it to a truck park and pay money”, they said.
However, while reacting, AMARTO chairman; Chief ‎Remi Ogungbemi denied signing any pact with the NPA to implement the N10,000 levy on trucks. He said he was astonished that some of his members alleged that he has compromised by signing a pact with NPA to be receiving commission from the money accrued from the collection.