The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has appealed to the Lagos State government, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) for immediate intervention over alleged widespread extortion and unfair practices by the Committee on Abandoned Vehicles and some towing operators.

The President of AMATO, Remi Ogungbemi, in a detailed statement, outlined a series of grievances affecting truckers operating in and around the Lagos ports.

Ogungbemi highlighted the issues to include outrageous fines, harassment by street urchins and state actors, alleged exorbitant charges levied on truckers for towing services and traffic offences.

He further accused the committee on abandoned vehicles of targeting truckers with false claims of vehicle abandonment.

According to the AMATO president, such claims often result in vehicle seizures and heavy fines ranging between N100,000 to N300,000, which the truck owners are forced to pay.

He said these fines are presented as deterrents, but in reality, they are aimed at siphoning off the proceeds the truckers need to maintain their trucks.

Ogungbemi emphasised the impact of these practices on the operational costs and safety standards of trucks.

He stressed that these fines and fees are crippling for many truckers, with the high charges making it difficult for them to properly maintain their vehicles.

This, the truckers argue, has implications for safety and efficiency within the port area, as poorly maintained trucks pose risks to both operators and other road users.

The AMATO’s statement also highlighted the involvement of illegal actors who allegedly collaborate with towing operators to impose unauthorised charges, enriching themselves at the expense of truckers.

This situation, they said, has escalated tensions between truckers and traffic controllers in the Lagos port area.

To address these issues, Ogungbemi called on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to launch an investigation into the activities of the “Abandoned Vehicles” committee.

He also urged the NPA and the NSC to step in and curb what it describes as systemic exploitation within the towing sector.

Additionally, AMATO boss proposed the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives from state agencies, NPA, NSC, and truckers to tackle the recurring problems in the sector and along port access roads.

“We have had enough of individuals using government machinery to enrich themselves at our expense,” the statement concluded.