The newly-formed Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTOC) has vowed to rescue the collapsing trucking business from the menace of extortion and high-handedness of unscrupulous elements killing haulage and cargo logistics businesses in the state.
The Chairman of the Committee, Lukman Shittu, promised to address the longstanding challenges faced by truckers and cargo operators as well as pledged to embrace unity and collaboration as a binding force for the unification of truckers in the state.
He noted that the committee stands as a testament to the collective commitment to enhancing the conditions and efficiency of truckers and cargo operators in the State.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, shed light on the persistent crises within the industry, expressing the government’s recognition of the need for resolution.
The Commissioner, who was represented by an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Transportation, Tiamiyu Oluwatosin, emphasised that the newly formed committee was a strategic move to seamlessly manage trucking activities in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
“We have been having lingering crises in this industry, and we felt that it was time to resolve all this, and that is why the committee was set up to run the activities of trucks seamlessly with the state government,” he stated.
On his part, the General Secretary of LASTCOC, Mohammed Sani, said the committee unites truckers on a single platform with the sole aim of advancing solutions to the problems that are militating against the progress and stability of trucking business in the state.
He commended the Lagos state government for creating the committee, adding that its mandate is not all about ease of doing transportation business in the state, but about Nigeria’s trade facilitation, seamless evacuation of cargo and economic progress.
Sani said for the committee to succeed, all stakeholders must play their roles efficiently without bias and sentiment. He implored members of the security/traffic ecosystem and the trucking community to support the committee to rescue the collapsing trucking business from the menace of area boys extortion and the high-handedness of unscrupulous elements that are killing the transportation business.
Bala also called for support to rescue truckers from those incapacitating them from feeding their families and keeping their trucks in good condition to meet the minimum safety standard required by the government.
Speaking also, the Patron of the Committee, Remi Ogungbemi, in a passionate plea to the State Government, highlighted the pressing issue of street urchins waylaying trucks along the roads, leading to experienced truckers leaving the job. He emphasised that resolving this problem is crucial to encouraging the return of seasoned professionals to the industry.
The patron further called for unity among truckers, urging them to support the committee’s efforts by obeying traffic rules and regulations, thus creating a safer and more pleasant working environment.
