The Federal Government has established a five-member joint ministerial committee involving the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to mediate and resolve issues raised by the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from AMATO and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
Alkali explained that the creation of the joint committee became necessary following a warning from the unions about a potential nationwide strike. The unions had expressed concerns over the ongoing destruction of trucks, harassment of drivers, and imposition of illegal tariffs by various groups.
The minister emphasized the importance of the transportation sector as the “gateway” to the nation’s economy and stressed that the sector’s success depends on collaboration between both unions.
Speaking on behalf of AMATO, Board of Trustees member Folake Soji-George said the continuous destruction of trucks and brutalization of drivers had forced maritime trucking stakeholders to consider withdrawing their services in protest.
Chief Aloga Ogbogo, Executive Secretary of NARTO, also raised issues of excessive towing practices by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and highlighted the growing intimidation and violence against truck drivers, which has severely impacted their businesses and hindered fleet renewal efforts.
The newly formed committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi, with Adeleye Adeoye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, serving as Co-Chairman. Other members include Director of Legal Services Pius Oteh, Director of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration Musa Ibrahim, and Director of Maritime Services Babatunde Sule.
The committee has been given a two-week deadline to submit its findings and recommendations to the Minister.
