By Barth Ndubuwah
No fewer than seven maritime associations operating at the Onne Seaport in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have threatened to boycott the Federal Government’s e-call-up system, citing the deplorable condition of port access roads and the lack of designated holding bays for heavy-duty trucks as reasons for their planned action.
The aggrieved unions include the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Africa Federation of Logistics and Freight Forwarders (AFFLON), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), and the Onne Youth Council, among others.
Following a joint meeting in Onne, the groups resolved to shun the e-call-up system operating at the port until the access roads are properly rehabilitated to safeguard the lives of operators and local residents.
In a communiqué signed by the heads of the participating maritime associations and read to journalists by the Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter, Hon. Ifeanyi Isikaku, the stakeholders insisted that dedicated holding bays must be provided to accommodate the heavy influx of trucks entering the port daily.
According to the statement, the boycott is scheduled to take effect on August 17, 2026, and will remain in force until their core demands are addressed.
“That all access roads leading to the port within Onne be properly maintained to prevent frequent container falls, operator injuries, and loss of lives arising from the deplorable state of the roads.”
“That our members shall no longer participate in the arbitrary and excessive charges associated with the e-call-up transport system at the port.”
“That the implementation of the e-call-up system be suspended until adequate holding bays are constructed to handle the volume of trucks operating at Onne Port,” the communiqué read.
The associations expressed dismay that despite the Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne, generating over ₦487 billion between January and July 2026, no significant portion of these revenues has been allocated to repair the critical access corridors leading to the port.
The group urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to intervene promptly to avoid severe disruptions to maritime logistics and the attendant loss of public revenue that would result from a service withdrawal.
Each association Chairman condemned what they termed the persistent neglect of Onne Port access roads, urging prompt corrective measures to prevent operational gridlock and maintain industrial peace.