A coalition of maritime transport operators has issued a three-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government, demanding the immediate disbandment of two committees accused of extortion and harassment of truck operators.
The coalition, known as NMA, sent a formal notice of service withdrawal to key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Lagos State Governor, Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police Command, Lagos State Commissioner for Transport and the Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State.
In the notice, the transport operators condemned the Lagos State Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and the Special Traffic Management Committee and Enforcement Team for what they described as “increasingly provocative and exploitative activities.”
According to the coalition, these committees, initially established to manage traffic congestion around Lagos ports, have strayed from their mandate and are now engaging in arbitrary arrests and imposing excessive penalties ranging from N200,000 to N400,000 per truck.
Allegations of Corruption and Arbitrary Fees
The maritime operators further alleged that payments collected by the committees were being funneled into private accounts instead of government coffers.
They cited a recent incident where trucks released from the Lillypond Pre-gate by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were intercepted and impounded by committee members. Some truck operators were reportedly forced to pay exorbitant fees while others had their vehicles towed to undisclosed locations at additional cost.
The ultimatum, which expires tomorrow, includes demands for:
- The immediate disbandment of the Lagos State Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and the Special Traffic Management Committee and Enforcement Team.
- The unconditional release of all impounded trucks.
The unions warned that failure to meet these demands would result in an immediate industrial action, potentially disrupting port operations.
Implications for Fuel Supply
In a related development, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day strike notice, citing unpaid bridging claims and the arrest of 16 drivers and 20 trucks.
IPMAN called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that a failure to resolve the issue could lead to fuel shortages across the country next week.
According to IPMAN Depot Forum Chairman, Yahaya Alhassan, the association has repeatedly requested the payment of over N100 billion in bridging and National Transportation Allowance (NTA) claims owed by the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“One of those promises was made by NMDPRA, at the stakeholders’ meeting convened on the eve of the last strike declared by NARTO. At that stakeholder’s meeting, NARTO listed these same IPMAN bridging claims as part of their demands before the strike was called off. NMDPRA promised to offset the bridging claims in 40 days even in the presence of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of DSS, Adeola Ajayi. However, 40 days have today become months with no hope of our payment,” he said.
The group noted that nine Northern depots—including Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri—have become completely grounded due to the unpaid debt, raising fears of nationwide fuel supply disruptions.
NARTO Raises Concerns Over Harassment of Truck Drivers
Speaking on the issue, NARTO National President, Yusuf Othman, confirmed that truck loading had stalled indefinitely, pending government intervention.
He disclosed that about 20 trucks—some carrying fuel and others empty—had been impounded, while 16 drivers remained in detention at Oshodi.
“They have towed about 20 trucks, some are empty, some with fuel. They have arrested about 16 drivers. They kept them at Oshodi. So, in solidarity with other drivers and truck owners, we have withdrawn our services and would like the governor himself to intervene, because the task force of the Ministry of Transport in Lagos is harassing us,” he said.
An investigation by The Guardian found that some fuel stations in Lagos, particularly in Egbe, Isolo and Egbeda, were already out of stock, raising concerns over an impending fuel crisis.
Lagos State Government Responds
In response, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Bolanle Ogunlola, clarified that enforcement of the e-call-up system began on January 24, 2025 with an initial apprehension of 10 non-compliant trucks.
She explained that the trucks were later released as a goodwill gesture, with stakeholders promising to comply with the system moving forward.
She further stated that on February 21, 2025, enforcement officers apprehended 11 additional trucks for non-compliance, leading to an altercation and the subsequent arrest of individuals involved in an attack on government personnel.
“The suspects and trucks have all been released as further indication of the government’s support for willful compliance,” she added.
Looming Industrial Action and Economic Fallout
With the maritime operators’ ultimatum set to expire, industry observers warn that failure to resolve the dispute could lead to a major disruption in port activities, affecting supply chains and worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.
As negotiations continue, the maritime unions and petroleum marketers are calling for urgent government intervention to prevent a full-scale industrial action that could further strain businesses and consumers across the country.
