The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been working to address extortion and container detention issues faced by truckers.
Recently, the NSC met with the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) to discuss these challenges.
The truckers have been protesting against the Lagos State Government’s task force, alleging extortion and harassment.
The NSC has appealed to the truckers to suspend their planned strike, which would have withdrawn their services from the ports.
The main demands of the truckers include the disbandment of the Lagos State Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and the Special Traffic Management Committee and Enforcement Team in Apapa.
They also demanded the unconditional release of all trucks impounded by these committees.
To address these issues, the NSC has been engaging with stakeholders, including the Lagos State Government, AMATO, and other maritime associations.
The goal is to find a lasting solution to the problems faced by truckers and ensure the smooth operation of port activities.
The Executive Secretary, Dr Pius Akutah, spoke when he paid a working visit to the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and address key challenges affecting inland cargo transportation.
Dr Akutah, who was represented by the Director, Inland Transport Services, Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu, said the visit was aimed at identifying and finding solutions to the issues facing cargo movement within and around port corridors.
The Shippers’ Council boss assured AMATO of the Council’s commitment to improving port efficiency.
He reaffirmed the NSC’s continued engagement with stakeholders to address operational gaps and strengthen inland transport systems.
“Currently, the Council has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to conduct awareness campaigns focused on promoting safety among truck drivers. Also, a stakeholder sensitisation workshop would soon be convened to collectively address industry-wide challenges and propose sustainable solutions,” Dr Akutah stated.
Speaking earlier, the President, AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, said major challenges of the truck owners are the lack of modern truck marshalling yards, persistent port congestion, human interference, extortion, insecurity, unstable haulage rates due to poor infrastructure, and the problem of excessive checkpoints.
