GRIDLOCK: AMARTO Raises Alarm Over Extortion By Presidential Task Team

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO) ,has raised the alarm over alleged extortion by officials  of the Presidential Task Team to restore sanity in Apapa ,saying  there are  two flashpoints where monies exchange hands within the port corridors.

The haulage group identified the spots where such anomalies occur to include  Sifax Bonded Terminal  , Ijora axis and the popular Mr.Biggs and Standard Flour Mill (SMF) junction  along Creek Road inwards the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC).

AMARTO’s Head of Call System, Comrade Goddy English in a chat with newsmen last week ,alleged that operatives of the  Mobile Police  (Mopol)  and officials from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) attached to the task team along the corridors were frustrating the success recorded so far.

According to him, truckers pay between N3,000/ N5,000 per vehicle to the aforementioned personnel , adding that the situation may cause more problem for the government in the  line of restoring sanity to the port environment.

Comrade Goddy noted that under the Nigerian Navy supervision, the call system was effective despite the alleged extortion but added that the Presidential Task Team has also compromise to the extend to demanding bribes from truck drivers .

Irrespective of ” Manual Call Up System”,Comrade Goddy maintained that the current trend by officials of NPA and Mopol could frustrate the purpose of restoring sanity to Apapa and its environs , pointing out that “Already truck owners and drivers are groaning and may likely protest over the issue.

While exempting, the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) officials from the practice, he said despite the manual system, the Mopol  would ignore the call up directive and demand for their bribe.

He also disclosed that the Lilypond facility has not been effective as some of the drivers allegedly flout the call up directive.

The AMARTO official added that “Up till now we still have some  bad ones among the new Presidential Taskforce Team to restore sanity in Apapa.

“If you doubt me, I can take you to the point where these bribes take place along Mr.Biggs junction at Creek Road”.

” Even at the Ijora end, you find out that Lilypond terminal has not been effective as expected because down to Sifax terminal you will see the officials there stopping trucks for the purpose of extortion.

He further noted that the truck associations and unions don’t have much to say because the government agencies have an upper hand to descend on the haulage drivers and some times impound the vehicles for failing to cooperate .