Owners and drivers of trailers and tippers working between Ogun and Lagos states have rejected the new N3,000 and N1,000 truck tickets introduced by the Lagos State Truck And Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC).
They criticized the action, calling it an abrupt charge implemented without their knowledge or consultation.
The owners and drivers, who belong to the First Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association led by Chief Nureni Ogunsola, the New Born Tipper Lorry Owners and Drivers Association led by Tajudeen Ajowa, and the Tipper Lorry Drivers Owners led by Mamoru Amoo, expressed their concerns on Tuesday during a joint press conference held in Abeokuta.
During the briefing, Tajudeen Adeoye, the National Chairman of the New Born Tipper Lorry Owners and Drivers Association, complained that their union already bears numerous fees from the point of loading to the point of offloading. He stressed that this new fee could force them out of business if it is not removed.
Adeoye revealed that they have been paying a N1,500 levy to the Lagos State government. They were informed of the new levy on November 3rd, and its collection and enforcement started on November 6th, ignoring their feedback.
He stated, “LASTCOC sent us a letter regarding the Lagos State Government Harmonized 24-Hour Truck Ticket and aiming to remove multiple toll collections placed on truck operators across the State.”
“As the association for tipper and lorry owners and drivers, my plea to both the Lagos and Ogun State governments, because we operate in both states, is to address our appeal. The ticket being introduced to us is too expensive. Before this new one, there was one for N1,500 that started at N200, rose to N500, then to N1,000, and now N1,500. We have been paying that; we initially protested, received no help from either state, and eventually accepted it.”
“But this new one—another N3,000 for trucks and N1,000 for tippers—is very high, especially given the current difficult economic situation in this country, where everyone is trying to survive. Therefore, we, the association and our members, reject this new fee.”
He added, “We are law-abiding citizens; we do not want disorder or any conflict to occur between the two states and the whole of Nigeria.”
The chairman argued that members of the association face various difficulties, from vehicle maintenance costs to multiple levies from government bodies, alongside frequent harassment from LASTCOC, which has often resulted in injuries to drivers and other occupants and the destruction of their trucks.
According to the national chairman, the three associations have consistently supported the economic growth of both Lagos and Ogun by promptly paying legitimate fees and renewing vehicle documents, yet they receive minimal benefits from the governments.
He appealed to the governments of both states to rethink the levy, highlighting their cooperation with the government and their wish to prevent any unrest or crisis.
He concluded, “Please, I am using this opportunity to beg and appeal to our governors of Ogun and Lagos States, and the LASTCOC committee, to consider our complaint before the situation escalates. We cannot and will not accept this new levy.”
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