The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Association
of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) on Monday said they would hold talks by Sept.
29, to resolve issues that led to truck drivers’ protest.
of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) on Monday said they would hold talks by Sept.
29, to resolve issues that led to truck drivers’ protest.
It could be recalled that some truck drivers protested
over a misunderstanding with security operatives outside the port gate in
Apapa, Lagos last week Thursday.
over a misunderstanding with security operatives outside the port gate in
Apapa, Lagos last week Thursday.
Both parties identified the absence of a call-up system as
a major challenge which made some drivers induce security operatives to collect
money to allow them into the port.
a major challenge which made some drivers induce security operatives to collect
money to allow them into the port.
In an interview, the Apapa Port Manager, Mr Anas Nasir,
said that the truck drivers did complain of extortion by security operatives
outside the port, as well as delays inside the terminals.
said that the truck drivers did complain of extortion by security operatives
outside the port, as well as delays inside the terminals.
He said bearing all the complaints, it was certain
that a call-up system would serve an urgent measure to checking the problem and
get things done more efficiently.
that a call-up system would serve an urgent measure to checking the problem and
get things done more efficiently.
In his words: “The drivers mentioned the issue of extortion
by security agents operating outside the port, and claimed they faced delays
trying to off-load or load their boxes in the terminal.
by security agents operating outside the port, and claimed they faced delays
trying to off-load or load their boxes in the terminal.
Nasir, however, said that the terminal operators
refuted the allegation of delays by the truck drivers.
refuted the allegation of delays by the truck drivers.
“We are working
to introduce measures to ensure that the terminals do the proper thing, and as
a way of solving this issue, we’ll establish a call-up system that must be
implemented.”
to introduce measures to ensure that the terminals do the proper thing, and as
a way of solving this issue, we’ll establish a call-up system that must be
implemented.”
He appealed to the truckers to be law-abiding and not
take to shunting, which he said could lead to some of these challenges.
take to shunting, which he said could lead to some of these challenges.
“Some people will want to go out of their own to
induce officials to allow them go in before others. If that attitude can be
checked, it will go a long way to solving the challenges.”
induce officials to allow them go in before others. If that attitude can be
checked, it will go a long way to solving the challenges.”
Nasir, however, assured that the NPA would ensure
improvement in the working environment as it planned to convene a meeting with
the leadership of all the security operatives.
improvement in the working environment as it planned to convene a meeting with
the leadership of all the security operatives.
Also speaking on the issue, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, Chairman
of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners ( AMATO) blamed
the situation whereby several
trucks mill around the port environment when not requested for.
of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners ( AMATO) blamed
the situation whereby several
trucks mill around the port environment when not requested for.
He said it encouraged some drivers to offer money to
traffic officials, in order to be allowed into the port, just as some officials
may want to take advantage of the situation too.
traffic officials, in order to be allowed into the port, just as some officials
may want to take advantage of the situation too.
“In a situation where you see thousands of trucks
wanting to enter, the tendencies are that some of them will want to give money
to security operatives to enable them go on time.
wanting to enter, the tendencies are that some of them will want to give money
to security operatives to enable them go on time.
“And the traffic regulator and security men too, will
now capitalise on the situation to start giving them conditions to pass
through.”
now capitalise on the situation to start giving them conditions to pass
through.”
Ogungbemi said that though the protest may have been
caused by the harsh work environment the drivers faced, he commended NPA’s
efforts to ensure a workable system to overcome the present challenges.
caused by the harsh work environment the drivers faced, he commended NPA’s
efforts to ensure a workable system to overcome the present challenges.
“It is the hostile environment that is breeding the
extortions and all other things. But, the NPA is working to control and manage
the rate at which trucks will come into the port.
extortions and all other things. But, the NPA is working to control and manage
the rate at which trucks will come into the port.
“They have started discussions with a firm that is
coming to work on a ‘call-up’ system.
coming to work on a ‘call-up’ system.
“This will ensure that only booked trucks will be
required to come into the port environment.
required to come into the port environment.
“So, if trucks are not booked by any of the terminals,
such trucks will not just come into Apapa,” Ogungbemi said.
such trucks will not just come into Apapa,” Ogungbemi said.
