Truckers, agents to shut down Lagos ports on Monday

TRUCK owners and freight forwarders operating at Lagos ports are set to paralyse activities at the ports and bonded terminals in Lagos from Monday, May 15, 2017.

Operating under the aegis of the Amalgamation of Trucking Associations With Other Stakeholders In Maritime Industry (ATAOSMI), the operators who engage in Customs brokerage and total logistics chain promised to withdraw all trucks and their services from Monday.

The notice of withdrawal of service signed by the chairman of the Amalgamation, Comrade Victor Nnyosum  and sent to major stakeholders in Apapa which include the Director General of NIMASA, Executive Secretary, NSC, GM, NPA, Western zone, Area Commandant, Area B Police and Port police, ,hinted that the joint body resolved to commence withdrawal of service as a result of the deplorable states of the Tin Can/Apapa roads which they claimed have been responsible for the destruction of trucks, goods and even loss of lives.

The notice unequivocally stated that the withdrawal of service will continue until the roads are fully rehabilitated.

The National Publicity Secretary of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto confirmed that ANLCA is in full support of the withdrawal of services.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing said in 2015 that Apapa road rehabilitation was not in the 2015 budget promising that it would be included in the 2016 budget.

However, nothing was done on the roads in 2016 even as the failed Apapa/ Tin Can roads are still begging for rehabilitation in 2017