Owners and drivers of trailers and tippers operating between Ogun and Lagos States have rejected the newly introduced N3,000 and N1,000 truck tickets by the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC), describing the move as sudden and made without their consultation.

The operators, members of the First Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association, New Born Tipper Lorry Owners and Drivers Association, and Tipper Lorry Drivers Owners, held a joint press briefing in Abeokuta on Tuesday. Leaders, including Chief Nureni Ogunsola, Tajudeen Ajowa, and Mamoru Amoo, expressed concerns over the economic burden of the levy.

Tajudeen Adeoye, National Chairman of the New Born Tipper Lorry Owners and Drivers Association, highlighted that operators already pay multiple levies, including a previous N1,500 ticket, which has increased over time from N200 to N1,500. He warned that the new levy—N3,000 for trucks and N1,000 for tippers—could push many operators out of business.

Adeoye said, “We are law-abiding citizens and don’t want chaos, but this new levy is excessive, especially given the current economic hardship.” He also raised issues of vehicle maintenance costs, harassment by LASTCOC, and minimal benefits from government despite consistent payment of levies and renewal of vehicle documents.

The associations appealed to the governments of Ogun and Lagos States to reconsider the levy, emphasizing their willingness to cooperate and avoid any unrest.