ATTAN Holds AGM, Applauds Developmental Gains, Decries Multiple Operational Levies On Members In Lagos

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Allied Trucks Transporters Association of Nigeria (ATTAN) has commended the steady growth and internal cohesion of the association while raising strong concerns over what it described as crippling multiple levies imposed on its members by state and local government authorities in Lagos State.

These positions were articulated during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in December, which brought together national and state leaders, members from across the federation and other stakeholders in the road haulage and logistics sector.

Speaking at the meeting, the National President of ATTAN, Mr. Babatunde Maruf, expressed gratitude to members for their commitment and resilience, describing the period under review as one marked by consolidation, progress and renewed optimism for the future.

He noted that the AGM, traditionally held at the end of the year, provided an opportunity to reflect on the association’s journey, review achievements and set priorities for the coming year. According to him, the leadership remains focused on strengthening ATTAN’s brand, deepening member welfare initiatives and expanding its footprint across more states of the federation.

Mr. Maruf also highlighted the symbolic importance of newly introduced association materials, including branded stickers and the unveiling of the 2026 ATTAN calendar, which he said would further enhance the visibility and identity of the association nationwide. He expressed confidence that the coming year would be more organised and productive for members, urging unity and professionalism across all chapters.

The meeting was however dominated by concerns over operational challenges, particularly in Lagos State, where members say multiple levies have severely eroded profitability and threatened business sustainability.

The Lagos State Chairman of ATTAN, Comrade Oni Babatunde, delivered a detailed account of what he described as excessive and uncoordinated taxation of truck operators by local governments across the state.

According to him, ATTAN members are primarily engaged in the movement of bulk goods such as building materials, household items and other logistics cargo across Lagos and beyond. He explained that a single journey—such as conveying goods from Ikorodu to Badagry—often requires passing through 10 to 15 local government areas and local council development areas (LCDAs), each imposing separate levies.

“Some local governments charge ₦500, others ₦1,000, while some now charge as much as ₦2,000. By the time a truck completes a single trip, the entire profit has been wiped out,” he said.

Comrade Babatunde noted that a transporter who charges a client about ₦30,000 for a trip could end up spending as much as ₦25,000 on road levies alone, excluding fuel, vehicle maintenance, loaders’ wages and the long hours lost to traffic congestion.

“This means operators expend energy and resources and still go home with nothing,” he lamented.

He recalled that following complaints by transport unions, the Lagos State Government had previously introduced a unified ticketing system through the Ministry of Transportation, intended to replace all local government levies with a single daily ticket.

As part of that arrangement, ATTAN, alongside two other associations, formed a unified body known as UTTAWA, which was formally recognised by the state government through a white paper. Under the agreement, truck operators paid a single state-issued ticket meant to cover all local government charges.

While the system reportedly worked for a few months, Comrade Babatunde said local governments later resumed roadside collections, leading to what he described as “double taxation.”

“Today, our members are forced to pay the state government ticket and still pay multiple local government levies. In addition to this, we are paying for emblems, Hackney permits and several other charges, making the business extremely burdensome and unprofitable,” he said.

He warned that rising logistics costs inevitably translate into higher market prices for goods, contributing to inflation and hardship for consumers.

ATTAN therefore called on the Lagos State Government to urgently intervene by enforcing the unified ticketing policy and directing local governments to stop all additional roadside collections against truck operators.

Expansion, Welfare and Drug-Free Operations

In separate contributions, the Kwara State Chairman of ATTAN, Elder Segun Moses, spoke on the association’s growth trajectory, explaining that while ATTAN aspires to operate nationwide, it currently has active chapters in several states, including Kogi and Kano.

He stressed that the association’s core mandate remains the welfare and safety of its members and their families, adding that ATTAN maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol abuse among drivers.

“Our environment is drug-free. This is critical for safety, efficiency and public trust,” he said, urging government authorities to support the association in addressing operational challenges faced by drivers on Nigerian roads.

Also speaking, Alhaji Arogundade Abdulrasak, National Treasurer and Auditor-General of ATTAN and a leader of the Oyo State chapter, said the association has remained stable in Oyo despite past policy changes that affected transport unions.

He explained that ATTAN operates under written agreements with the state government, ensuring compliance through proper identification, vehicle stickers and ID cards. He noted that although members face varying charges, these are negotiated annually with the government.

Alhaji Abdulrasak added that ATTAN maintains cordial relations with authorities in Oyo State and has internal mechanisms for resolving issues related to vehicle breakdowns, fines and traffic enforcement.

He further suggested that government support, including the provision of collateral guarantees, could help transport associations access bank loans, given their consistent contribution to state revenue.

At the close of the AGM, ATTAN leaders reiterated their commitment to peaceful engagement with government at all levels while appealing for urgent reforms to eliminate multiple taxation, particularly in Lagos State.

They warned that unless the issue is addressed, the survival of small and medium-scale truck operators—and the broader logistics value chain—could be seriously threatened.

The meeting ended with expressions of gratitude to members and a renewed pledge by the leadership to intensify advocacy for fair, harmonised and transparent transport policies across the country.