By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
Owners and drivers of trailers and tippers operating across Ogun and Lagos States have appealed to the Lagos State Government to suspend the newly introduced ticket and levy, describing it as an unjust decision imposed without their consultation or involvement.
Leaders of the associations made the appeal during a press conference held on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The coalition, made up of the First Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association, the New Born Tipper/Lorry Owners and Drivers Association, and the Ajowa Tipper Lorry Drivers Owners Association, was represented by their respective leaders—Chief Nureni Ogunsola, Adetokunbo Adeoye, and Kamoru Amoo.
Speaking on behalf of the three associations, the National Chairman of the New Born Tipper/Lorry Owners and Drivers Association, Mr. Adetokunbo Adeoye, said the new ticket and levy were introduced without the knowledge or participation of the unions. He expressed displeasure that the policy came from the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC), a body they were unaware of until now.
According to him, the new levy ₦3,000 for trucks and ₦1,000 for tippers is “too high” and unacceptable given the current economic hardship in the country.
“Before this new one, we already pay ₦1,500 per day, which started from ₦200, later increased to ₦500, then ₦1,000, and now ₦1,500. We accepted it after appealing with no result, but this new ₦3,000 is too much,” Adeoye said.
“Everyone is struggling to survive. We are law-abiding citizens, and we don’t want any crisis between both states or anywhere in the country. So, we appeal to the Lagos and Ogun governments to listen to our plea and suspend this new ticket.”
He also faulted the government for failing to engage them as key stakeholders before introducing the levy, noting that the association has not benefited from the state despite years of cooperation.
“They don’t give us garages to park; we can’t stay by the roadside. We operate only once daily now due to accident concerns, and yet these levies keep increasing. How do we survive?” he asked.
Supporting his colleague, the President of the First Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association, Chief Nureni Ogunsola, said the ticket was imposed on them through unofficial channels, without proper communication or agreement.
“They sent a notice on the 3rd of November and began enforcement on the 6th. We already pay ₦1,500, VAT, and other charges. Adding another ₦3,000 doesn’t make sense. We can’t accept it—it’s suffocating our business,” Ogunsola stated.
The coalition, therefore, urged both the Lagos and Ogun State Governments to intervene urgently to prevent tension and ensure a fair resolution that would not cripple their operations or worsen the economic challenges faced by operators.