Truck logistics operators at the Lagos seaports have revealed that they incur approximately N40 million in daily expenses on bribes and illegal taxes within the corridor.

Revealing this information to Vanguard, an official from the Council for Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA), who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the entities collecting these funds include both state and non-state actors.

He further clarified that the average daily expenses per truck amount to around N38,500, and their members oversee the movement of over 1,000 trucks through the ports every day.

Breaking down the extortions, he mentioned a N3,000 fee paid at the Tin-Can First Gate roundabout, a N2,000 waybill fee allegedly collected by individuals linked to the Apapa Local Government Area (a claim denied by the Council), an additional N5,000 gathered by certain Nigeria Customs Service operatives within the port, and another N1,000 given to different Customs personnel at the Customs exit gate.

He also alleged that the Police at the Port have two collection points where drivers are expected to pay sums of N2,000 and N1,000.

Other payments reportedly include a N500 warehouse fee, a N2,000 Cutting of Seal fee, a N4,000 fee allegedly paid to certain National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives, another N4,000 collected by an unidentified local council, a N1,000 fee for 'small paper' collected by agents associated with an unnamed Lagos political figure, as well as a N3,000 confirmation fee, a N2,000 gate pass fee, and a N1,000 security fee paid within the port.

Furthermore, drivers are required to pay a N2,000 scaling fee, a N1,000 security fee, and a N4,000 fee for dropping off containers.

Some truck owners expressed their frustration, stating that they have made efforts to bring this issue to the government's attention, but no action has been taken to address it.

Discussing the situation, Mr. Richard Odoka, a truck owner, emphasized that trucks carrying export cargoes are particularly affected by these extortion practices.

Mr. Yinka Aroyewun, President of COMTUA, condemned the alarming and reprehensible extent of extortion.

According to him, “There are 20 extortion points between Tin-Can first gate and the point at which you off-load your empty containers or drop your export cargoes. From N1.000 to N2,000 to N3,000 to N5,000 are collected by agencies of government.”

Dele Afose, Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman of the Apapa Local Government Area, responded to the claim by denying that anyone had been sent by the Council to collect money on its behalf.

Afose stated:“I am not aware of this development. In fact, I am shocked that people are collecting money on behalf of the Local Government. The Local Government did not post anybody anywhere”.

“Looking backwards is retrogressive for any reformer. Looking forward can give you the leaps that will propel you in the right direction. We need think tanks in the agricultural sector. I don’t see why Nigeria will be so blessed with good soil and not have a commodity exchange. I don’t see why we have not been able to interrogate our real estate sector and propel it.

“I don’t see why we have not used consumer credit to build the purchasing power of our people and the capacity of our very own manufacturing sector,” the President assessed.

While commending the NESG for believing in the reforms of his administration, the President said the “bitter pill” must be administered to an ailing nation and economy to build a better future for the country.

“I am here and I believe we can do it together. No single person succeeds alone. The world is dynamic. We are confronted with climate change and other challenges, but somewhere in the eye of the storm, there is a quiet and peaceful corner for those who can toil well. With patience and determination, we will succeed,” the President assured.