LAGOS – The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), has demanded the reversion of Lilypond Container Terminal, Lagos to a truck terminal.
The National Chairman of the association, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, told newsmen that the terminal was originally established to serve as a packing terminal for trucks owners.
Ogungbemi added that the terminal was meant to stop truck drivers from parking on the road and causing traffic problems for other road users.
“We are saying that they should return to status quo. Originally, Lilypond was constructed to serve as truck terminal not as container terminal.
“During General Gowon’s Regime (Retired), trucks will queue right from Apongbon, Lagos Island up to Moshalasi, Idi-Oro.
“So, in their own wisdom, they now said that well, let them look for a solution. That is why they constructed Lilypond to serve as truck terminal; but today the place is being used as container terminal, no longer as truck terminal.
“If they can return to status quo, it will help in a very big way to reduce the problem associated with truck operation within the port environment.“
Ogungbemi urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to consider the situation in which truck owners operated and take a befitting decision.
According to him, truck operations play a crucial role in effective port service delivery and so should be given the attention it deserves.
Commenting on the issue, Mr Musa Iliya, NPA’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, advised the association to write a letter to the NPA management as a move toward addressing the issue.
He said, “They should state their request in a letter to the NPA management to look at.“
He said NPA would continue to put adequate measures in place for an effective port system in the country.
