From left: Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON felicitates with the President of Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi shortly after the meeting with officials of the Lagos State Government recently.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC, the country’s Port Economic Regulator has taken proactive steps to curb the excessive extortion of maritime haulage trucks by operatives of the Lagos State Joint Taskforce on road transport.

This follows several complaints by members of Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO and other related labour associations, who also threatened to withdraw their trucks off the roads, a development that would hamper movement of cargo in and out of the seaports in Lagos.

Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON, as part of measures to curb the excesses of the members of the taskforce led a coalition of maritime stakeholders to meet with the Lagos State Government representative.

The meeting was aimed to addressing the persistent harassment and intimidation of union members by the joint state tax force at the port corridor and on the road.

Speaking on the development, the NSC-boss said this move demonstrates the NSC’s commitment to protecting the interests of industry players and preventing a shutdown of port operations, which would have severe economic implications for the country.

“By taking proactive steps to address these concerns, the NSC is promoting a safer and more respectful work environment for all stakeholders involved”, Akutah further argued.

The coalition comprised Maritime Workers, the Truck Owners Unions, and the National Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO.