… insist on proposed strike

By Cynthia Alo

IN a bid to ensure the safety and security of their trucks and drivers, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners in Lagos State, has insisted on going on the proposed strike saying that “Extortion and Vandalism by hoodlums in Lagos has reached an alarming level.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development in Lagos, Mr. Ridwan Bello, Vice Chair, Association of Maritime Truck Owners, said that the trend has become an economic sabotage on both their businesses and the maritime industry.

Bello also said that the group has concluded plans to down tools in the next 72 hours, adding that since the government has refused to take action, truckers have no choice than take action against these criminal elements.

Bello emphasized that the situation has worsened despite efforts to engage with authorities and other transport unions.

He stated that the hoodlums have set up over 60 checkpoints on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway alone, and their activities are becoming increasingly dangerous.

“For over five years, we have deployed different means to find a lasting solution, but every one of our efforts has proven abortive,” Bello said.

“The Lagos State government set up the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Committee, LASTCOC, to address the issue with National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, noting despite several engagements with Lagos State officials, including the Deputy Governor, they have failed to act.

“The issue of extortion has become so lucrative that the inaction of government has only encouraged them to continue their activities, which are now becoming economic sabotage as our business collapses.

“Our drivers are leaving the industry; some of our drivers would even prefer to join them because it’s free money. Why would they spend like two days before they can enter the port, and then some boys are just out there making free money, not doing anything, not making any positive impact on the economy?

“Reliable information indicates that the governor has heard about it. We wrote letters to the National Security Adviser, NSA, and Nigerian Shippers Council; they all reached out for a meeting, but our main agenda is simple and very clear: all the area boys in Tin-can, Apapa, Mile 2, the ones in Ikorodu, area boys mainly on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway must be cleared.

“Those at Eleganza, just before the port, all of them, all the extension points, we don’t want to see any of them. Enough is enough. They’ve killed our drivers. They killed a gallant army officer when they were dragging, steering with our drivers because of noncompliance of their illegality, I mean, it’s a matter of jurisprudence.”

Bello suggested that the association is demanding that the government set up a task team to continuously arrest and prosecute the hoodlums.

He reiterated that if the government fails to act within the 12-day ultimatum, they will shut down the ports and refuse to allow drivers to enter.