By Oluyinka Onigbinde
In a decisive move aimed at averting a potential nationwide economic crisis, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has intervened to halt the impending strike being planned by the consortium of trucking unions and associations under the umbrella of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).
The planned strike, which had been set to disrupt operations across the maritime sector, was successfully suspended after high-level discussions held on Monday at the NPA headquarters.
The truckers, represented by the consortium of trucking unions and associations under AMATO, had previously issued an ultimatum to halt their services to the maritime industry in response to widespread extortion and violent attacks by hoodlums and miscreants targeting truckers. The threat of a strike had raised concerns about the potential for severe disruptions to the country’s port operations, which are heavily reliant on the trucking community for the movement of goods.
Representing Dr. Dantsoho at the meeting, the Executive Director of Marine and Operations, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, reassured the truckers that their concerns would be addressed swiftly. “We will work with the Lagos State Government and the Police High Command to urgently resolve your grievances and ensure there is no disruption of services by this critical segment of the port logistics value chain”, he assured.
“The national economy cannot afford any shutdown at this time,” Badmus stated, acknowledging the essential role played by the maritime trucking community in the smooth functioning of port operations.
The meeting, which led to the signing of a communique aimed at addressing the truckers’ complaints, resulted in the suspension of the planned strike.
Key stakeholders who attended the discussions included the Special Adviser on Transportation to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Sola Giwa; the Lagos Commissioner of Police; officials from the Port Authority Police Command; the National President of AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi; the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bakare Oki Olalekan; the Chairperson of the Corporate Fleet Truck Owners Association, Mrs. Folake Soji George; the Chairman of the Lagos State Truck & Cargo Operators’ Committee (LASTOC), Alhaji Lukman Shittu; and leaders from various trucking and transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all parties to collaborate to tackle the issues raised by the truckers, including the extortion and security challenges they face. This intervention by the NPA and other key stakeholders has temporarily quelled the tension within the maritime sector, ensuring that port operations can continue uninterrupted.
The successful negotiation reflects the importance of maintaining open dialogue between government agencies, industry leaders, and unions in addressing the challenges facing the port logistics ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Transportation has confirmed that it will begin a clampdown on miscreants on the TinCan-Apapa corridor.
Mr Sola Giwa, said the decision was in response to a complaint raised by the consortium of truck drivers under the Association of Maritime Truck Owners.
“The complaint is with regard to assault on drivers, vandalism of trucks, and extortion along the TinCan-Apapa corridor,” he said.
Giwa said that the raids would rid the corridor of all unauthorised persons posing as traffic and security agents.
The special adviser described vandalism and extortion as acts of economic sabotage.
According to the official, under the 2018 Lagos State Transport Sector Reforms Law, collection of tolls on Lagos roads is prohibited.
He emphasised that no union was authorised to impose any form of toll on truckers operating on the corridor.
He assured the truckers that the government would address all the contentious issues, in collaboration with stakeholders such as Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Road Transport Workers
He added that the state government, alongside the Nigerian Ports Authority and other relevant agencies, would provide necessary resources and support for committees established to ensure smooth operations for truckers in the state.
