AMATO Shifts from Talk to Action, Unveils Rescue Team and New Lagos Executives
ByGeraldine Anyanwu
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, rolled out new measures aimed at addressing congestion around Lagos ports, alongside the inauguration of its Lagos State Executive Committee.
At the event, the association introduced the AMATO Rescue Team, a unit set up to help clear broken-down trucks, fallen containers, and other road obstructions along port access routes.
Speaking at the ceremony, AMATO said it remains focused solely on maritime trucking and is working toward improving operations through practical steps rather than continued complaints about long-standing challenges.
The Rescue Team is expected to support agencies responsible for traffic and road safety, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS).
The unit will operate as a rapid-response team, working with towing partners and using communication tools and motorbikes to reach affected areas quickly.In his keynote address, AMATO National President, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, said many of the current problems in the sector date back to the port concessioning process at Apapa and Tin Can Island, where the role of trucks was not fully considered. He noted that the removal of designated truck parks has contributed to the congestion now seen along port corridors.
He also pointed to financial pressures on truck operators, linking them to leakages and exploitation within the system. According to him, this has made it harder for operators to maintain their trucks, with implications for safety and efficiency.As part of efforts to improve operations, AMATO said it has identified land that can accommodate about 3,500 trucks and plans to develop it into a marshalling yard serving both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. The proposal has been submitted to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Shippers Council, which has begun discussions with stakeholders.Earlier, the new Chairman of AMATO Alhaji Ahmed Saro was sworn in with other members of the new executive committee, taking over leadership at a time when pressure is mounting to improve traffic flow and trucking operations in Apapa and Tin Can Island.
Reactions from industry players at the event were largely positive. Former Lagos State AMATO Chairman and current Chairman of the Lagos State Cargo Operations Committee (LASTCOC), Alhaji Lukman Shittu, expressed confidence in the new leadership and described Saro as capable of handling the role.
Also speaking, Chief Steven Okafor of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said the transport sector remains a major source of employment in Nigeria, second only to government.AMATO acknowledged the support of agencies and stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigerian Police Force, Lagos State Government, and industry groups involved in port and logistics operations.
The association said it will continue to work with public and private stakeholders to improve coordination, road safety, and overall efficiency in maritime trucking.
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