It appears that individuals who are not Nigerian have assumed control of the haulage industry in Nigeria.

Expressing concern over this issue, the Council of Maritime Unions and Associations (COMTUA), led by its president Comrade Yinka Aroyewun, highlighted that many trucks owned by foreign companies in the haulage business are painted in military colors and operated by military personnel. Aroyewun emphasized the need to address this trend, stating that it unfairly disadvantages Nigerian truckers.

He remarked, "It's distressing to witness foreign transport companies, with trucks adorned in military colors and staffed by Nigerian military personnel, being given preference over smaller local operators. This inequality negatively impacts our businesses and livelihoods."

Aroyewun outlined several challenges facing the industry, including false claims of low booking call-up fees, extended turnaround times, and ongoing extortion on port access roads. These issues, he stressed, must be tackled to ensure the industry's prosperity.

He further expressed concern about job losses to foreign companies and military-operated trucks, calling for collective action to reverse this trend and advocate for fairness and equity within the industry. Aroyewun assured that the National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP) is committed to supporting local businesses and finding solutions to these challenges.

"As we endure revenue losses, job insecurity, financial decline, and face harassment from both governmental and non-governmental entities in our line of work, officials of NPA and TTP are commemorating three years of a flawed and ineffective call-up system. This situation deeply troubles us, and rightfully so. Nevertheless, our legal team has finalized plans to pursue justice in this matter, and we remain optimistic that we will prevail."

"I would like to address the concerns of our members regarding the proposed unlawful 'Harmonised Ticket' or inspection fees proposed by the unauthorized Lagos State Transport and Cargo Committee (LASTCOC), in collaboration with NARTO, MWUN, and an unauthorized group called Nexus Maritime Transport Operators. Their entire scheme aims to further burden our members, particularly since those involved lack legitimate authority for their actions and lack credibility within the trucking community for any meaningful initiative. We have initiated legal proceedings against LASTCOC and the Lagos State Government in suit LD/7859GCM/2024, and similar actions are underway against other parties involved in this 'collaboration to defraud truckers.'"