Seaport: Truckers debunk extortion allegations, demand probe of truck pushers

TRUCK owners operating in the Tin-Can/Mile 2 axis along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway have denied allegations that its members were collecting money from truckers before allowing them into the ports.

Addressing newsmen in Apapa recently, the truck owners accused those who alleged extortion of being the mastermind of alleged unbridled extortion of truckers before the creation of the Task Team on Apapa gridlock, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Opeifa.

A member of the truck owners in the Tin-Can/Mile 2 axis; Mr. Salami Ismail said that the petition written by one Mr. Aroyewun Adeyinka and other individuals against the Presidential Task Team headed by Mr. Kayode Opeifa is false and a deliberate attempt to rubbish the tremendous effort of the Task Force.

According to Salami, “The petition was borne out of frustration due to the dismantling of the criminal activities of middlemen called “truck pushers” by the Presidential Task Force. The inauguration of the Presidential Task Team has been a game changer for easy movement of trucks to and from the ports.

“Before the inauguration of the Presidential Task Team, these petitioners who were active in the haulage sector as “truck pushers” usually extort truck owners to the tune of N150,000 per truck before access is given to trucks to proceed into the ports.

“The Truck Owners Mile-2/Tin Can Axis, after almost being sent out of business due to the exorbitant fees charged by these “truck pushers”, protested vehemently and raised valid objections to the criminal acts and conducts of the truck pushers before the Presidential Task Team”, which reportedly investigated the allegations and corroborated the position of truck owners, hence the dismantling of the exploitative network of these “truck pushers.

“It is a petition against real truck owners, and it is clear that their motive was to cast aspersion on the hardworking Presidential Task Team, and of course, we can see that their frustration is because it is no longer business as usual since the team took over. The truck pushers are out of business, and they are not happy.”

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