Aggrieved placard carrying maritime transporters yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest to kick against the N10000 levy on electronic sticker entry to be collected by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),as part of efforts to resist the payment.
The transporters under the aegis of Coalition of Port Dry Cargo Transport Operators (CPDTO) lamented that NPA directive to forcefully collect the levy from transporter is bane to port operations.
Some of the placard displayed at the Apapa port's entry gate by the protesters includes: "Yes To Safety of Minimum Standard" No To N10000 per truck" Enough of levies, fines and all forms of extortion" Dismantle bottlenecks that yields corruption" etc.
Speaking with journalists during the solidarity protest at the entry Gate, Lagos Ports Complex, the Committee, Chairman Port Dry Cargo Transport Operators, Alhaji Abdullahi Inuwa said that the protest was against the backdrop of the port authority demand to collect N10000 levy on each trucks before it can do business in the ports.
Alhaji Inuwa reiterated that the truck owners group comprising NARTO, RTEAN, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria drivers unit, AMATO,NURTW and TTUA said that they are in support in ensuring that the trucks meet the required minimum standard but added that the levy imposed on them by NPA is not acceptable.
Inuwa who also doubles as the vice chairman wet cargo, Lagos state, NARTO described the N10000 collection from NPA as mode of revenue collection by the NPA from the transporters.
"He object the N10000 levy to be collected by NPA; though we subscribe to the safety minimum standards of trucks"
"We are not where ground port operations but to let the NPA to know that we have something bigger coming up at the expiration of the 21 days extension"
"We are resisting the money because they did not create an enabling environment for us"
Speaking about the enabling environment Inuwa added that the government has failed to provide holding bays for operators stressing the need also for the agency to fix the deplorable condition of Tin Can Island access road.
On his part secretary of the group, Comrade Ifeany Ekwunife said issues surrounding collection of N10000 is unacceptable by truckers saying NPA has failed in its quest to enforce minimum standards of truck.
The RTEAN chieftain added that the solidarity protest was in line to warn NPA of what to expect at the expiration of the 21 days extension.
According to him, the aviation sector is more organised than the maritime sector as regards the facilities put in place by the agency and that NPA has failed in its capacity as landlord of the ports to provide required services.
The demonstration which took place at the entry gate of the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC), later move to Tin Can Island Port and ended at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT).
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