In a move to prevent a nationwide economic shutdown, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, intervened in a planned strike action by the Association of Maritime Truck Owners, AMATO, and its affiliates on Monday.
Represented by Executive Director Marine & Operations, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho appealed to the maritime workers, saying, “We will collaborate with the Lagos State Government and the Police High Command to promptly address your concerns and prevent any disruption by the critical Maritime Trucking Community, which is a vital aspect of the Ports logistics value chain. The national economy cannot afford a shutdown at this time.”
The meeting which culminated in the signing of a communique addressing the Truckers’ grievances and subsequent suspension of planned strike action, had in attendance the Special Adviser on Transportation to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Sola Giwa, Lagos Commissioner of Police and the Port Authority Police Command, the National President Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) Chief Remi Ogungbemi, the General Manager LASTMA Mr. Bakare Oki Olalekan, Chairperson of the Corporate Fleet Truck Owners Association, Mrs Folake Soji George, the Chairman Lagos State Truck & Cargo Operators’ Committee (LASTOC) Alhaji Lukman Shittu, Leaders of NURTW, RTEAN amongst other industry leaders.
Recall that a consortium of Trucking Unions and Associations Under the Auspices of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) had issued an ultimatum to stop service to the maritime Industry over widespread cases of extortion and attacks on truckers by hoodlums and miscreants.
Recall that a consortium of Trucking Unions and Associations Under the Auspices of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) had issued an ultimatum to stop service to the maritime Industry over widespread cases of extortion and attacks on truckers by hoodlums and miscreants.
Credit: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE