The Lagos state government has reaffirmed its commitment to training over 10,000 maritime truck drivers and motor boys as part of efforts to reduce accidents on highways.

Meanwhile, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has raised concerns over prolonged delays in vehicular exits from the Lilypond Truck Terminal, calling for improved efficiency in haulage operations.

Speaking on behalf of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, Adekoya Hassan disclosed this during a sensitization program organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Committee (LASTCOC) at Lilypond Truck Terminal, Ijora. 

The event focused on zero tolerance for substance abuse among truck drivers and addressed key challenges facing the trucking sector.

Adekoya alleged that nearly 99 percent of road accidents are linked to drug abuse among drivers, emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to tackling the issue through extensive training programs. 

He further noted a shift from hard drugs to pharmaceutical substances among drivers, heightening safety concerns on highways.

“The days of drug abuse among truckers will soon be over, courtesy of the Sanwo-Olu administration,” Adekoya said, adding that the government will intensify its sensitisation efforts to promote a drug-free trucking community and ensure safer roads.

AMATO Chairman, Alhaji Lukman Shittu, also highlighted operational inefficiencies at the Lilypond Truck Terminal, noting that some trucks spend up to 10 days before exiting the facility. This, he said, disrupts cargo movement and negatively impacts businesses. 

To address the issue, AMATO plans to establish a task force to monitor truck movements at key locations, including Lilypond, Eleganza, and the Mr. Biggs area in Apapa.

“We will introduce the task team soon. At least four persons will be deployed to strategic locations to oversee cargo movement. This is our business, and we have no other jobs for now,” Shittu stated.

Beyond logistics, AMATO stressed the importance of addressing truck drivers’ mental and physical well-being. 

Shittu reiterated that drivers and their assistants are the breadwinners of their families and must act responsibly within the port industry. 

He commended the Lagos State Government for its initiative and pledged AMATO’s commitment to educating truckers on the dangers of drug abuse, which in turn will help reduce accidents on Lagos roads.

Truckers at the event voiced frustrations over poor working conditions, harassment by government agencies, and security challenges within the port community.