AMATO Takes Decisive Action on Road Safety Following Tragic Eko Bridge Accident

—Partners NPA to Rollout Breathalyzers at Port Terminals, Parks

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has voiced its deep concern over the persistent and tragic road accidents involving container trucks in Nigeria.

Prompted by the recent fatal accident on the Eko Bridge on Sunday, May 13, 2025, which claimed the lives of two dispatch riders, AMATO is taking immediate and decisive steps to enhance safety.

A key initiative involves a collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to combat alcohol and drug abuse among truck drivers through the provision of breathalyzers at port terminals and parks.

Speaking at an emergency meeting held in Lagos on Monday, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, President of AMATO, emphasized the association’s distress over the continuous loss of life. “We are pained by the accident that occurred at the weekend, we are genuinely concerned and we are tired of constant falling of containers on highways,” he stated.

“We are convening this meeting to let the appropriate authorities know that AMATO, as a responsible association, is carrying out self-regulation, and we are here to tell ourselves the truth.”

Ogungbemi further elaborated on the proactive measures being undertaken: “When an accident occurs, the truck and other destroyed components are replaceable, but what about the human lives that is lost? We don’t want the government to proscribe our haulage business on account of these accidents, and this is why we are regularly sensitizing our drivers and managers.”

During a sideline interview with DAILY TREND at the no-holds-barred emergency meeting, Ogungbemi revealed the partnership with the NPA to deploy breathalyzers across all port terminals and parks.

This measure aims to identify and remove drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs from the system.

The association also used the meeting to reiterate minimum safety standards for trucks operating at Nigerian ports and on highways, emphasizing crucial guidelines for its members:

* Driver Licensing and Experience: Employ only drivers with valid and current driver’s licenses and thoroughly verify their experience in handling articulated trucks. The association stressed the danger of entrusting trucks to inexperienced or unlicensed individuals, particularly on major roads and around port areas.

* Vehicle Safety Standards: Ensure all trucks meet AMATO’s stringent safety requirements before they are permitted to enter ports or loading points. These requirements include functional container twist-locks, working headlamps, rear lights, and side mirrors, as well as properly affixed reflective tapes for enhanced visibility. Regular maintenance checks are mandatory to ensure vehicles remain roadworthy.

* Loading Guidelines: Adhere strictly to loading guidelines, which include loading only one container per truck to prevent overloading, especially given the absence of weighbridges. Specific instructions were given for palletized cargoes and jumbo bags to ensure stability during transit, emphasizing that cargo must be securely fastened.

* Zero Tolerance for Drugs and Alcohol: Maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol consumption by drivers. AMATO, in collaboration with the NPA and terminal operators, will conduct random drug and alcohol tests at loading points. Drivers testing positive will be immediately removed, and their trucks will be grounded until a replacement driver is available. Drivers are also encouraged to report any colleagues suspected of substance abuse to AMATO’s safety team.

* Adherence to Traffic and Port Regulations: Comply fully with speed limits and all traffic regulations, especially on port access roads and highways. Strict adherence to the ETO call-up system and port entry protocols is required, and drivers must carry valid documentation at all times to avoid penalties or blacklisting.

Alhaji Lukeman Shittu Zangalo, the Lagos Chairman of AMATO and Chairman of the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Operators and Committee (LASTCOC), announced an enlarged stakeholders meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Lillypond holding bay in Ijora, Lagos.

This crucial meeting will be held in partnership with the NPA, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), terminal operators, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other relevant regulators and stakeholders.

Reflecting on the recent Eko Bridge tragedy, Zangalo attributed the accident to over-speeding by both truck drivers. He sternly cautioned the assembled truckers, saying, “Before now, you always complained to the government that the roads are bad, now that the roads are repaired, you are firing speed, forgetting that life has no duplicate.”

Zangalo further addressed critical internal issues within the trucking community: “We as truck owners, there is a need to monitor our drivers; many of them indulge in alcohol and drug abuse. There is no point handing over a multi-million Naira truck investment to a driver that is inexperienced. Some of you don’t give your drivers a listening ear; when your drivers express genuine complaints about the poor state of the trucks, you still force them to keep managing it. All these attitudes are giving our business a bad image.”

Alhaji Ishola Salami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, urged truck owners to diligently investigate and verify the past job experiences of drivers before hiring them.

He also raised concerns about the aging fleet of trucks, stating that “some of the trucks plying the nation’s ports need to be overhauled because many of them are weak and above fifty years in operation; hence, they need to pick less heavy tonnes of cargoes.”

During an interactive session, AMATO members highlighted several critical challenges within the trucking sector, including the lack of robust regulations, which they described as “free entry, free exit.” They suggested that truckers should emulate the petroleum tanker drivers’ association, where stringent entry requirements and a strong union exist.

Members called for standardized driver training, noting that many drivers lack formal training and learn on the job after starting as motor boys. They also advocated for price regulations to address issues of undercutting by less scrupulous operators.

Other concerns raised included the need to raid truck parks where drugs and alcohol are reportedly sold and the issue of dishonest cargo declarations by some clearing agents and transporters, who sometimes underdeclare cargo weight, contributing to accidents.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the inauguration of a safety committee, headed by Mr. Abraham Adeyanju, and the creation of a Monitoring Team responsible for implementing the breathalyzer initiative at various terminals and parks in collaboration with the NPA.