LASTCOC Denies Bribery Allegations Along Port Corridor, Explains Causes Of Apapa Gridlock

By Roland Ekama 

The Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC) has dismissed allegations that truckers pay between N30,000 and N50,000 to secure a spot in the queue.

The committee called on haulage operators within the port corridors to provide evidence as part of efforts to nip the menace in the bud.

LASTCOC also explained that gridlock in some parts of the roads is due to repairs and maintenance work on the highways inward Apapa.

Chairman of LASTCOC, Alhaji Lukman Shittu, who spoke exclusively with DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA, denied claims from some operators that truckers pay between N30,000 and N50,000.

He noted that investigations by his team have not uncovered such allegations.He appealed to operators to come forward with evidence of extortion by authorities deployed along the Apapa roads, demanding bribes or engaging in any form of extortion.

Shittu, who also serves as Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Lagos Branch, reiterated that his team is on the ground investigating issues affecting haulage operations along the port corridors.

The trucker stated, “As the leader of the truckers, I am always on the ground with my team. We conduct investigations daily within the Tin Can Island Port and Apapa port corridors. So far, we have not received any such information as reported by the media.”He urged those affected, if true, to come forward and provide details of extortion by the authorities so appropriate action can be taken.
“Any officials from key agencies, including the NPA, NSC, LASTMA, FRSC, and the Nigeria Police, who are complicit in illegal toll collection will regret their actions if these allegations are true,” he warned.

Regarding the traffic situation, Shittu explained that due to road repairs inward Apapa, commuters and stakeholders should understand that the disruption will last about three weeks.

He also mentioned that some terminal operators are experiencing technical glitches.He further appealed to truckers and stakeholders to be patient with the construction company handling the road repairs in Apapa.Shittu noted that network failures by some terminal operators have also contributed to traffic issues.

He added that the Mile 2 corridor is free from gridlock and emphasized that the repair works on the other axis are expected to last 21 days.