The Federal Government has established a 5-man joint ministerial committee to mediate and resolve challenges faced by the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).
The committee, comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, was announced by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, during a meeting with AMATO and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) delegations in Abuja.
The minister explained that the committee’s formation was prompted by the unions’ intention to embark on a nationwide strike due to issues such as truck destruction, driver brutalization, and illegal tariffs. He emphasized the crucial role of the association in the country’s economy and urged AMATO and NARTO to engage in dialogue.
Folake Soji-George, a member of AMATO’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the challenges faced by the association, including asset destruction and driver brutalization, which have made operations unbearable.
Aloga Ogbogo, Executive Secretary of NARTO, also raised concerns about excessive towing practices, intimidation, and harassment of truck drivers.
The joint committee, chaired by Oloruntola Olufemi, Permanent Secretary of Marine and Blue Economy, is expected to provide findings and recommendations to the minister within two weeks.
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