Ondo govt, quarry operators agree on ₦220,000 truck loading fee
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State Government and operators in the quarry and tipper business have agreed to peg the truck loading fee at ₦220,000 per trip, following consultations aimed at resolving concerns over the proposed increase in the cost of loading quarry materials across the state.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between the government and executives of the Unions of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEN), the Association of Sand Quarry Operators, Tipper Owners and Suppliers, the Laterite Suppliers and Sand and Quarry Suppliers, and the United Quarry Association.
The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources as part of efforts to arrive at a mutually acceptable rate after the unions had proposed an increase in the loading fee to ₦250,000 per trip.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Jaiyeola Alabi, said the government had earlier directed the unions to suspend implementation of the proposed increase to allow for wider consultations with their members and other stakeholders.
Alabi said the government, after reviewing the concerns raised by the operators and the prevailing economic situation, proposed ₦220,000 per trip as a fair and reasonable benchmark.
According to him, the agreed rate was arrived at after extensive consultations designed to balance the rising operational costs faced by quarry operators with the economic realities confronting residents of the state.
He said the government was particularly concerned about ensuring that additional costs in the quarry and haulage sector did not impose undue financial pressure on citizens who depend on construction materials.
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to the union executives for their cooperation and willingness to abide by the agreement, urging them to ensure strict compliance with the new rate.
Alabi further appealed to the operators to sustain the spirit of dialogue and cooperation with the government, stressing that a cordial relationship would enable the ministry to effectively present issues affecting the unions to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for consideration.
He said the government remained committed to creating an environment conducive to business while also protecting the interests of residents.
The President of UTQEN, Alhaji Taiwo Odetola, who spoke on behalf of the unions, assured the government of the operators’ commitment to maintaining peace, order and mutual understanding in the state.
Odetola explained that the proposed increase in the loading fee was largely necessitated by the sharp rise in the cost of diesel and other operational expenses incurred by quarry and tipper operators.
He, however, said the unions had accepted the outcome of the consultations and would comply with the ₦220,000 agreed rate.
The development comes shortly after the state government intervened in the proposed increase and directed the affected unions to put the implementation on hold pending further consultations and an acceptable resolution.
The agreement, according to the ministry, reflects the administration’s approach of using dialogue and stakeholder engagement to address disputes affecting businesses and residents while promoting ease of doing business in the state.
The government also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that activities within the mining, quarrying and haulage sectors are conducted in an orderly manner and in accordance with relevant regulations.
Present at the meeting were the Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Olalekan Ogundayisi; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wole Akinkuotu; Director of Mineral Resources, Mr. Abiodun Jones; Deputy Director, Mineral Resources, Engr. Bidemi Oladapo; consultants; and executives of the various unions
