Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Council of Maritime Trucks Union and Associations (COMTUA) has threatened to withdraw its services and embark on a peaceful protest that may lead to the stoppage of haulage of cargoes at the Lagos seaports.
COMTUA in a letter sent to the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko and signed by the President; Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent, said the withdrawal of service is to register its dissatisfaction with the handling of the trucks’ electronic call-up system.
The Council stated that its members have lost many business and revenue to the call-up system, especially in the area of cost and batching, adding that the increase in extortion points by both state and non-state actors including activities of the state’s committee on Apapa gridlock is appalling.
COMTUA said that the continuous invasion of garages, parks and warehouses by agencies on abandoned vehicles of Lagos state with the aim of extorting its members of their hard-earned money necessitated the need to protest.
President of the Council, in the letter informed that the protest will begin on Monday 14th February, 2022 with a march to the Lagos governor’s office among other places.
Giving an insight into its plans, the group said: “We wish to notify you of the intention of our association to protest in mile 2, Ijora, Tincan, Apapa and its environs. This is to register our dissatisfaction with The ETO/TTP handling of the electronic call-up regime.
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“Our members have lost so much business and monies to their fraudulent practices, especially in the area of cost and batching.
The COMTUA listed ed its grievances to include: “The increase in extortion point by both state’s and none state’s actors. The activities of the state’s committee on Apapa gridlock is appalling to say the least.
“The continuous invasion of garages, parks and warehouses by agencies on abandoned vehicles of Lagos state with the aim of extorting our members of their hard-earned money”.
“We have written severally without response and we are compelled to act as follows: Peaceful protest around the areas mentioned, Withdrawal of service of our members. Protest to governor’s office among other places”.
This is expected to take place on Monday 14th February, 2022” the letter reads.
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