By Femi Anamelechi
The National President of COMTAU , Mr. Adeyinka Aroyewun has petitioned the Governor of Lagos State , His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu against extortion by officials S of Vehicle Inspection Services And Lagos State Traffick Management Authority in the petition Adeyinka succinctly pointed out that I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue that is severely affecting the trucking industry in Lagos State. We have observed rising instances of extortion disguised as enforcement by officials of the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Truckers are increasingly subjected to unreasonable fines for alleged violations, of,: ” includes the non-use of safety belts to protect containers. A fine of ₦250,000 for this infraction is not only exorbitant but also misaligned with international practices regarding safety regulations.”
In the petition he started that the punitive measures seem to be more about revenue generation than genuine safety enforcement and inherently compromises the integrity of these agencies and affecting those who are striving to operate within the law. According to Mr. Aroyewun such fines imposed for safety belt violations—₦250,000—exceeds the reasonable limits set within international standards and practices for the trucking industry. He said such fines can cripple small businesses and lead to job losses in a sector that is vital for economic stability. The safety belt is not a standard for safety in any part of the world. “No belt can protect a container and the means of installing a belt on a container is even risky.”
He further posted out that Containers are protected by “Twist Lock” not belt.The National President of COMTAU also disclosed the Lack of Clear Guidelines*: Many truckers have reported receiving fines without clear explanations or written documentation of the alleged infractions, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. He allegedly that LASTMA has become notorious for extorting hundreds of Thousand from truckers in addition to the loss of man hours by theses “area boys” before they are allowed to remove trucks from obstruction. An example is an additional charge of One million Naira (#1,000,000) for man hour loss and other arbitrary fines charged on equipment.He bemoaned the Corrupt Practices by officials using their positions to solicit bribes instead of issuing legitimate fines, creating a climate of fear and distrust within the trucking community.
These practices tarnish the reputation of the agencies involved and breed further corruption. The undue financial burden imposed by these inflated fines detracts from the ability of trucking businesses to invest in genuine safety measures and compliance with actual regulations. He therefore called on the Lagos State government to take drastic steps to : Initiate a comprehensive review of the existing penalties and enforcement mechanisms related to truck safety regulations, ensuring they align with best practices and do not place unreasonable burdens on transport operators:-
Issue clear, written guidelines for enforcement to ensure that all truckers understand their obligations and the penalties associated with non-compliance. Implement stronger oversight and accountability measures within VIS and LASTMA to root out corrupt practices and ensure that enforcement actions are based on legitimate violations. Establish a platform for dialogue and collaboration between government officials and stakeholders in the trucking industry to foster understanding and compliance with necessary regulations without resorting to extortion.
Adeyinka Aroyewun expressed appreciation for commitment of Lagos State government to improving the transportation sector and urged prompt actions in addressing these issues.While emphasizing the need to ensure the integrity of enforcement agencies is is preserved to enable them to operate in a manner that promotes safety without fostering an environment of fear and exploitation.
