Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, paid a visit to the Association of Maritime Truck Owners, AMATO, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and address key challenges affecting inland cargo transportation.
The NSC delegation was led by Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu, Director, Inland Transport Services, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius. Zubairu explained that the visit was aimed at identifying and finding solutions to the issues facing cargo movement within and around port corridors.
Key issues raised during the meeting included the lack of modern truck marshalling yards—with AMATO proposing a 4,000-truck capacity site—persistent port congestion, human interference, extortion, insecurity, unstable haulage rates due to poor infrastructure, and the problem of excessive checkpoints. AMATO also highlighted challenges with container detention and its adverse impact on operations.
In response, Zubairu acknowledged the concerns raised and assured AMATO of the Council’s commitment to improving port efficiency.
He reaffirmed the NSC’s continued engagement with stakeholders to address operational gaps and strengthen inland transport systems.
He further noted that the Council currently has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to conduct awareness campaigns focused on promoting safety among truck drivers. He announced that a stakeholder sensitization workshop would soon be convened to collectively address industry-wide challenges and propose sustainable solutions.
In his remarks, the National President of AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, commended Nigerian Shippers’ Council for its consistent support and dedicated efforts to restore order and efficiency across the port logistics chain.
The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both parties to deepen cooperation and find practical solutions for improving Nigeria’s maritime transport and cargo delivery system.
