ALBON, AMTO, BTOA, Inter-State operators in the deal
A communiqué issued at the end of the inaugural conference of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), the Association of Mass Transit Operators of Nigeria (AMTO) coalition on the Nigerian Economy and Road Passenger Transport at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on 22nd June 2017 has mandated that a Steering Committee involving all the inter-state road passenger associations in the country should be set up immediately to commence the urgent work of fussing all the inter-state bus owners/operators together in Nigeria within 60 days.
Moov Logistics News had reported last month the brewing desire of the major stakeholders of the road transport sector to close ranks and unite as one body to advance their corporate interests.
MLN learnt the central objectives of the coalition is to create an avenue not only to speak with one voice but also to address issues of common interests affecting all bus owners and operators in Nigeria. The challenges common to the two associations which they are seeking to tackle together and advance their common interests were enumerated as follows:
- Bad road network in the country;
- Multiple taxes/levies on the inter-state passengers transport business in Nigeria;
- Insecurity on the nation’s highway across the country;
- High incidence of operational costs arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange;
- Counterfeit motor spare parts;
- High cost of AGO and fuel,
- High import duties rate of 35% on inter-state passenger buses imported into the country.
For this reason the conference decided that The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), the Association of Mass Transit Operators of Nigeria (AMTO), the Benin Transport Owners Association (BTOA) and other inter-state road passenger transporters nationwide are to merge into one strong formidable Association for all the Inter-state Bus Owners/Operators in Nigeria within the next 60 days.
The conference agreed that all inter-state road passenger transporters nationwide are to be invited to the next meeting of ALBON & AMTO Coalition with a view to fussing all the various inter-state passenger transporters/associations.
The conference deliberated extensively on all the major common challenges facing all inter-state road passenger bus owners/operators in Nigeria, as well as the urgent and compelling need for all inter-state bus owners/operators nationwide to come together as one unifying body to develop strategies to tackle the challenges.
The communiqué, signed by Sir Dan Okemuo ALBON Representative; Chief Greg Inyaba, AMTO Representative; and Engr. Isaac Uhunmwagho, BTOA Representative stated that Inter-state Road Passenger Transporters nationwide have common challenges that require concerted efforts of all the inter-state bus owners/operators in Nigeria to resolve.
The forum said that a Steering Committee involving all the inter-state road passenger associations in the country should be set up immediately and that the coalition as well as the proposed new Association should retain the services of a suitable member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics of Nigeria (CILT) as a Consultant with immediate effect.
