The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has
demanded the reversal of the Lilypond Container Terminal, Lagos, to a truck
terminal.
demanded the reversal of the Lilypond Container Terminal, Lagos, to a truck
terminal.
The National Chairman of the association, Chief Remi
Ogungbemi, made the demand in an interview in Lagos.
Ogungbemi, made the demand in an interview in Lagos.
He said the Lilypond Terminal was originally developed
to address the issue of trucks parking on the roads and inconveniencing other
road users.
to address the issue of trucks parking on the roads and inconveniencing other
road users.
Ogungbemi expressed displeasure that the terminal was
eventually turned into a container terminal and deprived truck owners the use
of the place which was originally meant for them.
eventually turned into a container terminal and deprived truck owners the use
of the place which was originally meant for them.
“We are saying that they should allow the status quo
to remain.
to remain.
“Originally, the Lilypond was constructed to serve as
truck terminal not as container terminal.
truck terminal not as container terminal.
“The government in power then; what we experience now
within the port environment, then, it was late 60s to early 70s; we experienced
such during that time, that is, during General Gowon’s Regime (Retired).
within the port environment, then, it was late 60s to early 70s; we experienced
such during that time, that is, during General Gowon’s Regime (Retired).
“Then, trucks will queue right from Apongbon, Lagos
Island up to Moshalasi, Idi-Oro.
Island up to Moshalasi, Idi-Oro.
“So, in their own wisdom, they now say that well, let
them look for a solution. That is why they went to construct Lilypond to serve
as truck terminal but today, the place is being used as container terminal, no
longer as truck terminal.
them look for a solution. That is why they went to construct Lilypond to serve
as truck terminal but today, the place is being used as container terminal, no
longer as truck terminal.
“So, if they can allow the status quo, it will help
in a very big way to reduce the problem associated with trucking operation
within the port environment, ” he said.
in a very big way to reduce the problem associated with trucking operation
within the port environment, ” he said.
Ogungbemi urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to
consider the situation under which the truck owners operated and take a
befitting decision.
consider the situation under which the truck owners operated and take a
befitting decision.
According to him, truck operations play a crucial role
in effective port service delivery and so should be given the attention it
deserves.
in effective port service delivery and so should be given the attention it
deserves.
Commenting on the issue, Mr Musa Iliya, an Assistant
General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, said the association should address the
issue by writing to the NPA management.
General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, said the association should address the
issue by writing to the NPA management.
“They should state their request in a letter to the NPA
management to look at,’’ Iliya said.
management to look at,’’ Iliya said.
He said NPA was always there to put measures in place
for effective port system in the country.
for effective port system in the country.
