NARTO, MWUN seek collaboration with police over security at port

Segun Oladipupo

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have solicited support from the Area B Command of the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to sanitize the port industry for businesses to thrive.

This was as they even expressed worries over the incessant vandalisation of trucks along the port corridors.

In a renewed bid to create a conducive environment for workers and investors from the nation’s shipping sector, the two institutions said the collaboration with the law enforcement agency would sanitize the port environment in furtherance to restoring sanity and eliminating ugly trends associated with international trade .

Executive Secretary of NARTO, Mr. Aloga Ogbogo who spoke to our correspondent shortly after a meeting with the Commander Area B Police Command, Mr. Umar Dikwa ,said the alliance between the umbrella body of truck owners and MWUN was aimed to protect workers, investors and their welfare respectively.

“The transport sector of the maritime industry is presently going through a tough time as occasioned by the activities of some charlatans who are presently extorting, harassing, intimidating, inflicting harms on our drivers and other workers which in some cases has led to deaths , permanent disability and accidents on a daily basis.

“There are also issues of vandalisation of trucks on a daily basis which according to Ogbogo, are on the increase.

” We sincerely appeal to the police for assistance towards curtailing, if not eradicating,these ugly trends to the barest minimum within the sector.”

Ogbogo told the Area Commander that on the basis of common interest of doing business in the industry, the two bodies decided to form collaboration, saying the synergy will not be complete without security.

“The goal of this collaboration is to return sanity to the sector, hoping on the assistance of the Area B Police Command; as this will enhance and sustain peace and harmony in doing business in the maritime sector”,Ogbogo added .

According to him, the collaboration will further assist the government at all levels to achieve their set objectives of maintaining peace and orderliness as its maritime activities.

Speaking further,he noted that the collaboration was set up to ensure that members comply with the government rules and regulations guiding the sector and to liaise with the other relevant government agencies and stakeholders in the port community to ensure free flow of traffic along the ports axis.

The NARTO high chief also pointed out that plans are afoot to establish an insurance welfare package for all drivers, motor mates and dockworkers while charging truck owners on the need to charge reasonable fleet rates that will help to grow the nation’s economy in consultation with all stakeholders.