Transport union alleges ₦30bn fraud in NPA-TTP Call-Up system, calls for urgent probe

The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has raised serious allegations of fraud against the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and its partner, Truck Transit Park Limited (TTP), in connection with the management of the electronic truck call-up system introduced to reduce congestion at Nigerian ports.

In a statement signed by its National President, Adeyinka Aroyewun, COMTUA accused both organizations of forming a cartel to extort truckers and undermine the federal government’s efforts to reduce transportation and commodity costs across the country.

According to the union, TTP has been illegally collecting a “Matching Fee” of ₦10,000 on each empty container and Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) truck, in addition to the ₦11,000 official booking fee mandated by NPA.

COMTUA claims that nearly three million trucks have been affected since the call-up system’s implementation, resulting in an estimated ₦30 billion in unauthorized charges.

The union further alleged that in 2021, TTP collected over ₦2 billion through POS transactions at the Kirikiri area without the knowledge or approval of NPA.

“This blatant disregard for transparency and accountability is unacceptable,” the statement read.

COMTUA also criticized the 5 per cent charge imposed on every transaction through the financial operator managing the system, describing it as unjust and exploitative.

“Despite repeated reports to NPA, these fraudulent activities have gone unchecked, with the authority often dismissing our concerns without investigation,” Aroyewun stated.

COMTUA is calling on anti-graft agencies and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure that those found culpable are brought to justice.

“This is not just about truckers,” the union emphasized. “The final consumer bears the burden of these illegal costs, and it runs contrary to President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to reduce the prices of goods and improve the economic well-being of Nigerians.”

COMTUA urged the public to support the call for accountability and transparency in port operations, warning that continued exploitation of transport operators would further destabilize the nation’s logistics sector.