COMTUA Petitions Governor Sanwo-Olu Over Alleged VIS, LASTMA Extortion

The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has petitioned the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over what it described as widespread extortion and abuse of power by officials of the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

In the petition signed by its National President, Adeyinka Aroyewun, COMTUA expressed deep concern over the growing cases of arbitrary fines and illegal levies imposed on truckers under the guise of traffic enforcement.

According to the association, VIS and LASTMA officials have been extorting truck drivers through exorbitant penalties, particularly the imposition of a ₦250,000 fine for the alleged non-use of safety belts to secure containers — an infraction the group described as “baseless and inconsistent with international standards.”

Aroyewun noted that containers are secured using twist locks and not belts, adding that “no safety belt anywhere in the world is designed to protect a container.” He described the penalty as a “revenue-driven measure that endangers transport operators and undermines confidence in regulatory enforcement.”

The petition also accused some officials of demanding huge sums as “settlements” before trucks are released, alleging that “LASTMA officers often collect hundreds of thousands of naira to appease area boys before clearing trucks from obstruction.” COMTUA cited additional illegal charges, including ₦1 million for alleged “man-hour loss” and ₦3.5 million for “equipment recovery,” as examples of the exploitation facing truckers.

“These corrupt practices are crippling businesses and threatening jobs in a sector that is vital to Lagos State’s economy,” Aroyewun stated. “Instead of improving safety and compliance, the system has become a tool for extortion.”

COMTUA urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene by reviewing existing penalties, ensuring transparency in enforcement, and holding corrupt officials accountable.

The association also called for the creation of a standing platform for dialogue between government agencies and transport stakeholders to promote genuine safety practices.

“We appeal to the Governor to act swiftly to restore sanity, fairness, and trust in the operations of VIS and LASTMA,” the petition concluded. “Truckers are ready to comply with lawful regulations, but not to be exploited under the pretext of enforcement.”