Nigerian Shippers' Council Intervenes to Prevent Strike by Truck Owners

 

By Lod Onyeji 

The Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) has appealed to a coalition of truck owners and maritime workers to suspend their planned strike over extortion allegations against the Lagos State Government. The strike, slated to begin soon, would have seen truck owners withdraw their services from the ports in protest, potentially crippling port operations and having severe economic implications for the country.

The NSC's appeal was made during a meeting with representatives from the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), and the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). The Council's Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, pledged to organize a meeting with the Lagos State Government to address the grievances of the truck owners.

Key Demands of Truck Owners

The truck owners, represented by Mohammed Sani Bala, presented the following key demands:

 -Disbandment of Lagos State Committees: The disbandment of the Lagos State Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and the Special Traffic Management Committee and Enforcement Team in Apapa.

-Unconditional Release of Impounded Trucks: The unconditional release of all trucks impounded by the aforementioned committees or any related state agencies.

-Permission to Remove Broken-Down Trucks: Permission to remove their trucks in the event of breakdowns, in line with an understanding already reached with the National Towing Vehicles Operators Association (NTVOA).

The Nigerian Shippers' Council has committed to working with the Lagos government to provide a lasting solution to the challenges faced by the truck owners. The Council's intervention aims to prevent a shutdown of port operations, which would have severe economic implications for the country.