Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has condemned the recent service withdrawal that lasted for 10 days by truck drivers in Lagos ports, insisting that the association was not consulted before the action.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, the State Chairman of the association, Sikiru Kaka lamented the actions of the drivers was uncalled for, saying the executives of the association frowned at the action even though the strike has been suspended.
The chairman said: “On the issue of the strike action embarked by the drivers, I will like to clear the air that we are not part of that action.”
The NARTO chieftain further condemned the coming together of groups to carry out the action saying, “On the issue of people coming together to form an amalgamation, I must say that the association was never informed about that strike.
“As we speak, we are investigating the issues and we will draw out our final conclusion when we get to the bottom of the issue”.
Condemning the drivers’ action further the Chairman stated that leadership of the association was not consulted, pointing out that they would have aired their grievances to their employers rather than take the bull by the horns.
Also speaking, Chairman, South West Zone NARTO, Ganiyu Salami reiterated that strike action by drivers came to the leaders of the association as a shock.
He said NARTO did not play any role in the strike, adding that the association is currently investigating the actions of the truck drivers.
It was also gathered that some group of drivers were apprehended on Tuesday over illicit act along the port access road linking the Lagos Port Complex, which in turn led to their arrest by men of the Nigerian Police.
However, information about the arrest was sketchy as at the time of filing this report as the truckers union has stated that it would get to the bottom of the matter