NPA bursts fake Electronic call-up syndicate at MPS pre-gate
…TTP debunks reports of alleged call by NAGAFF to scrap Eto call-up system
By Seun Ibiyemi
In a move geared towards frontally tackling the activities of unpatriotic elements sabotaging the Authority’s (NPA) electronic truck traffic management (e-CallUp) system, also known as “eto.” The Authority’s officials and security agents undertook a spot check of the MPS Pregate and made a mind-boggling discovery of 249 fake vehicle plate numbers and 149 units of Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers.
Further checks of the terminal led to the discovery of another 164 pieces of vehicle number plates and 133 pieces of MSS stickers that are not fixed on any truck in readiness to be deployed for proxy booking.
The fake number plates and MSS tickets were immediately confiscated, and the Terminal Manager was invited for questioning.
This development validates the Authority’s position on the existence of a deliberate and well-organised effort to undermine the electronic call-up system, which was initiated by the Authority to eliminate human interaction in managing traffic in and out of the ports as a measure of sustainably taming the menace of traffic gridlock hurting the national economy.
The Nigerian Ports Authority is, however, resolute in consolidating the e-call-up project and its other process automation initiatives in order to grow the maritime sector to its full potential.
Meanwhile the management of Trucks Transit Parks Ltd, TTP, has described as inaccurate recent media reports regarding protests by truck drivers at Lagos ports and the alleged call by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) for the scrapping of the Eto call-up system.
In a statement signed by the Corporate Communications Manager, TTP, Nancy Nnamdi, Tuesday, the company said that contrary to the media reports, NAGAFF did not call for the scrapping of Eto.
Part of the statement said, “The information in the reports is inaccurate, and we seek to provide clarity on the matter. Contrary to the reports, NAGAFF did not call for the scrapping of Eto. The individual making such a statement was expressing personal views and not representing the official position of NAGAFF.
“The agitation against Eto appears to stem from a misunderstanding of the system’s operational procedures.
“It is crucial to correct the misinformation that truck booking was suspended for one month. The booking of trucks to parks was temporarily put on hold for about seven days, as directed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to facilitate the rapid decongestion of trucks causing gridlocks along the port corridor and efficiently release/decongest the trucks waiting in the parks and pregates to access the ports. This decision was communicated to relevant stakeholders, including truck drivers and transporters.”
TTP also refutes the claim that it gives NPA 10 percent of monthly returns, describing the allegation as entirely false.
The company explained that the electronic call up system deployed for Apapa and Tincan ports by TTP is monitored and regulated by the Nigerian Ports Authority and such misinformation can lead to misinterpretation of the dynamics involved.
The Eto system, owned and managed by TTP, has consistently contributed to operational efficiency at the ports. It has played a vital role and collaborated with the NPA in the development, review, and update of standard operating procedures that has improved the process and turnaround time for cargo evacuation at the port, truck routing, and mapping of truck parks to destinations/terminals in the port.
“Over the past 34 months, Ètò has processed about 1.7 million truck entry/exits of port and non-port-bound trucks, significantly reducing traffic gridlock challenges along the Apapa and Tincan port corridor.
“The recent challenges causing gridlock along the port access roads are attributed to the transferability and interchangeability of tickets and truck profiles among truckers, truck diversion along the port corridor in search for a second-leg job, trucks cris-crossing between terminals within the ports, inefficiency of terminals and low number of trucks admitted and serviced daily, as well as park operators colluding with truckers to left-pregate trucks by proxy.
“As variously communicated to all stakeholders, TTP has developed robust digital solutions to these challenges and now await approval from NPA to deploy them.
“Truckers are urged to exercise patience as TTP and NPA work collaboratively to address these challenges promptly. The Eto app is functioning as designed, and the measures in place aim to ensure sanity and ease of movement within the port premises,” the statement said.
