The Lagos State Government (LASG) has promised to train over 10,000 maritime truck drivers and motor boys as part of efforts to reduce accidents on highways.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, disclosed this yesterday during a sensitisation programme organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Committee (LASTCOC) at Lilypond Truck Terminal, Ijora.
He was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Transportation Logistics, Adekoya Hassan, at the event which focused on zero tolerance for substance abuse among truck drivers, also highlighted key challenges affecting the trucking sector.
Giwa alleged that nearly 99 per cent of road accidents are linked to drug abuse among drivers, stressing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to curbing such incidents through extensive training programs. He further noted that the use of illegal substances has shifted from hard drugs to pharmaceutical products, compounding safety concerns on highways.
“The days of drug abuse among truckers will soon be over, courtesy of the Sanwo-Olu administration,” Giwa said, adding that the government will intensify its sensitisation efforts to promote a drug-free trucking community and ensure safer roads.
Meanwhile, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) raised concerns over prolonged delays in vehicular exits from the Lilypond Truck Terminal, calling for enhanced efficiency in haulage operations.
AMATO Chairman, Alhaji Lukman Shittu, also highlighted operational inefficiencies at the Lilypond Truck Terminal, noting that some trucks spend up to 10 days before exiting the facility. This, he said, disrupts cargo movement and negatively impacts businesses. To address the issue, AMATO plans to establish a task force to monitor truck movements at key locations, including Lilypond, Eleganza, and the Mr. Biggs area in Apapa.
“We will introduce the task team soon. At least four persons will be deployed to strategic locations to oversee cargo movement. This is our business, and we have no other jobs for now,” Shittu stated.
Beyond logistics, AMATO stressed the importance of addressing truck drivers’ mental and physical well-being. Shittu reiterated that drivers and their assistants are the breadwinners of their families and must act responsibly within the port industry. He commended the Lagos State Government for its initiative and pledged AMATO’s commitment to educating truckers on the dangers of drug abuse, which in turn will help reduce accidents on Lagos roads.
Truckers at the event voiced frustrations over poor working conditions, harassment by government agencies, and security challenges within the port community.
