The Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA) has commenced the implementation of the minimum standards
for haulage trucks operating in the ports today.
Ports Authority (NPA) has commenced the implementation of the minimum standards
for haulage trucks operating in the ports today.
The Apapa Port Manager, Anas Nasir, said in Lagos that
the NPA would begin with more of an awareness campaign for the truck drivers.
the NPA would begin with more of an awareness campaign for the truck drivers.
It would be recalled that the NPA had earlier informed
the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) of its intended implementation
exercise, which was also acknowledged by the association.
the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) of its intended implementation
exercise, which was also acknowledged by the association.
Nasir said this strategy was necessitated by the truck
association’s appeal to make the truck standards implementation a gradual
process, so that people were not pushed out of business.
association’s appeal to make the truck standards implementation a gradual
process, so that people were not pushed out of business.
“We are going to take a gradual approach in enforcing
the minimum standards for operational trucks in the port because the
association appealed for reasons of the time of the year.
the minimum standards for operational trucks in the port because the
association appealed for reasons of the time of the year.
“Being the last quarter of the year, there may be high
demand for their services and it may be hard on business if a number of them
cannot operate, Nasir said.
demand for their services and it may be hard on business if a number of them
cannot operate, Nasir said.
The port manager however noted that adopting a mild
approach for now did not mean safety standards would be jeopardised just to
please anyone.
approach for now did not mean safety standards would be jeopardised just to
please anyone.
He said it was even very important to educate the
drivers on the need to maintain their trucks, as a part of the required
standard.
drivers on the need to maintain their trucks, as a part of the required
standard.
“It will just be a period to allow the drivers key
into the new agreement and requirement, and it is hoped that they will take it
seriously,” the port manager said.
into the new agreement and requirement, and it is hoped that they will take it
seriously,” the port manager said.
He also pointed out that if the rickety trucks were
not patronised by the agents the truck owners would be forced to keep up to
minimum standards.
not patronised by the agents the truck owners would be forced to keep up to
minimum standards.
Chief Remi Ogungbemi, the Chairman, Association of
Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) said it was agreed that the minimum standard
implementation be started on a campaign note, to create awareness.
Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) said it was agreed that the minimum standard
implementation be started on a campaign note, to create awareness.
He said since Nigeria was not a truck manufacturer it
was obvious that a number of the trucks were old, and therefore appealed that
the NPA considered such factors to give them time.
was obvious that a number of the trucks were old, and therefore appealed that
the NPA considered such factors to give them time.
Ogungbemi also pointed out that many of the truck
owners were unable to maintain their trucks because of the burden of multiple
levies imposed on them by different government agencies.
owners were unable to maintain their trucks because of the burden of multiple
levies imposed on them by different government agencies.
“The truck maintenance had been greatly challenged by
the multiple levies truck owners pay to different agencies of government
regularly.
the multiple levies truck owners pay to different agencies of government
regularly.
“After such payments the truck owner has very little
money left to care for themselves and maintain their trucks.
money left to care for themselves and maintain their trucks.
“It is particularly difficult each time a truck breaks
down on the road. The state traffic agency, LASTMA, has not made the problem
any lighter.
down on the road. The state traffic agency, LASTMA, has not made the problem
any lighter.
“The truck owners and the drivers are going through a
tough time and the public should know it so,” Ogungbemi said.
tough time and the public should know it so,” Ogungbemi said.
The NPA stated that the things to check for the
minimum standards include the truck head, the carriage unit, the tyres, the
vehicle particulars and warning device.
minimum standards include the truck head, the carriage unit, the tyres, the
vehicle particulars and warning device.
