MWUN, NARTO, NAMTOP join forces, vow to end truckers extortion, harassment

Workers in the maritime and road transport sectors have joined forces to end the plight of truckers, dockworkers and cargo haulage operators within the Lagos ports environs.

The collaborative efforts among the union leaders under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP) crystallized on Monday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) geared towards protecting truckers from harassment, intimidation and extortion by security operatives controlling traffic while also promoting members’ welfare.

Speaking during the signing of the MoU held at the NARTO National secretariat in Lagos, President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, said the collaboration, which he described as a new dawn in the history of the unions, became imperative to address truckers challenges.

He said despite the immense contribution of truck owners to the nation’s economy, they are always at the receiving end of unbridled extortion by security agencies, who also impound their trucks at will.

He said truckers spend more money per trip due to illegal payment ranging from N30, 000 and above at checkpoints created by security personnel that control traffic. This, he said, has continued to result in high cost of transportation as truck owners increase their bills, which at the end, is passed to the end user of the products.

Adeyanju warned that the union would no longer tolerate any form of harassment and extortion of truck drivers by Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials and other security agencies adding that MWUN may be forced to declare a trade dispute should the harassment of truckers, especially within the port access roads, continues.

“This is a new dawn in the history of truckers operation where we have leaders of the various maritime and transport unions coming together to form this collaboration. The Lagos state government should look into the extortion of truckers and make sure they organised the LASTMA management.

“With this collaboration, on behalf of MWUN, the era of impounding trucks on the roads against this collaboration stops as from today. We have signed a legitimate MoU and we are working within the ports. If any truck is arrested on the road, we might be forced to declare a trade dispute against the constituted authority in the Nigerian ports because the truckers have suffered enough in the hands of those that are supposed to protect them,” he warned.

Adeyanju also highlighted the importance of sincerity and commitment from all parties involved in the collaboration, stating that if there is no sincerity of purpose, the collaboration may fail.

On his part, National President of NARTO, Yusuf Othman, said the collaboration by the unions will enhance the operations of members.

“This collaboration is signed today so that we can have better operations. Transporters have suffered alot in the hands of non-state actors and security agencies. So this is high time we come together to get a better result,” he said.

Representative and Chairman, Board of Trustees of NAMTOP, Maroof Raheem said, “We have a reason to collaborate together for us to succeed in the face of the challenge we are facing in the industry. Truckers are facing a lot of harassment from security agencies despite being on the roads for weeks. That is why we are collaborating with MWUN because they are in the port 24/7.”

Also speaking, Patron of NAMTOP, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, expressed optimism about the collaboration just as he commended the MWUN PG for his efforts in transforming the union.