A maritime truck group under the auspices of the Council for Maritime Truck Unions and Associations has kicked against the proposed Truck Logistics Provider Scheme proposed by the Association of Maritime Truck Owners.
The President of COMTUA, Adeyinka Aroyewun, in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Monday, described the move as a fraudulent agenda by the association.
AMATO has, in a letter sighted by our correspondent, explained that after extensive research into the root causes of logistics challenges around the port, it was discovered that the inadequacy or absence of befitting truck parks is the major loophole through which truckers lose proceeds.
“We have developed a comprehensive solution, the Truck Logistics Providers Scheme,” the letter partly read.
According to AMATO, the TLPS is a transparent, sustainable funding and logistics model designed to support collaboration among key associations, including the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, among others, finance joint welfare programmes, and develop essential infrastructure.
It operates as a compulsory yet fair welfare and logistics support levy for all trucks accessing the ports, including private fleets.
They added that AMATO is working to build bridges that both present and future truckers will use to cross to profitability by removing the hindrances and barriers that are making the trucking business crumble.
AMATO stressed that the platform would ensure seamless integration into the existing Ètò electronic call-up system operated by the Truck Transit Parks via a formal Memorandum of Understanding. “A modest fixed levy to be agreed upon, added directly to the Ètò fee, ensuring 100 per cent coverage with no cash handling or physical collection points,” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the COMTUA President, Aroyewun, highlighted that while COMTUA has on several occasions condemned the current call-up system, AMATO, on the other hand, has always praised it as the best thing that has ever happened to the industry.
“Our attention has been drawn to a publication by AMATO requesting maritime stakeholders to support their proposed Truck Logistics Provider Scheme. We are compelled to respond to advise the general public against the fraudulent agenda of the said association,” Aroyewun said.
According to him, the same AMATO that supported the e-call-up system is turning 360°, mainly in promotion of their fraudulent park.
“It is logical to conclude that the call-up system has failed, given this request of AMATO. We advise the general public to be wary of this group. We in COMTUA have always mentioned the solution to the gridlock, but rather than join us to promote it, they play a spoiler role because of the compromised wage they earn from the establishment,” Aroyewun added.
