Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime haulage and logistics industry have raised the alarm over what they describe as the failure of government policies and infrastructure to adequately regulate and support safe trucking operations.

Their concerns came amid a rising number of accidents involving both empty and loaded maritime trucks, particularly along key industrial corridors in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States.

The stakeholders warned that unless critical issues affecting driver behaviour, vehicle conditions, infrastructure, and enforcement are addressed, the country risks continued loss of lives and property.

A key demand among truckers is a comprehensive overhaul of the electronic call-up (e-call-up) system, which they argued has failed to meet expectations.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Aloga Ogbogo, lamented that despite trucks moving over 80 per cent of goods from the ports to destinations across the country, there are no targeted interventions or modernisation programmes for the truck fleet.

He noted that many trucks currently on Nigerian roads are aged, poorly maintained, and reflective of the nation’s economic hardship, factors that contributed significantly to road accidents.

This situation questioned the enforcement of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) Minimum Safety Standards (MSS) for trucks operating within maritime space.

Ogbogo also decried the extortion of truck drivers by touts and law enforcement agencies, which he said forces drivers into risky maneuvers that often lead to accidents.

Ogbogo criticised the lack of government support for the trucking sector, despite its vital role in national logistics and port operations. On the e-call-up system, he added: “It was supposed to make things smoother—call in a truck, load, and exit. But what we have today is a joke. Trucks still spend days on the road, increasing driver fatigue and the likelihood of accidents.”

Also speaking, the General Secretary of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Mohammed Sani, expressed concern over the rising number of crashes involving cargo trucks.

He highlighted substance abuse, particularly alcohol and drugs, among drivers as a serious issue requiring urgent intervention from both government and union leadership.

“We urge the Lagos State Government, the NPA, and other relevant agencies to strictly enforce the ban on the sale of alcohol within 100 meters of truck parks and loading zones. Unfortunately, hawkers still sell these items within port corridors, especially where trucks are parked for long hours,” he said.

Sani emphasised the need for frequent sensitisation and safety education for drivers, including guidance on health management and responsible behaviour.

A truck owner and logistics operator, Abdullahi Inuwa, highlighted the hostile enforcement environment in Lagos and surrounding states, which he said discourages drivers from making necessary mechanical stops.