Truckers back NPA’s e-call-up system, berate critics of port access reform

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has publicly declared its support for the electronic call-up system introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), describing it as a transformative step in resolving the long-standing traffic gridlock on access roads to the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports.

Speaking after a peaceful rally held in Apapa, AMATO’s Secretary, Muhammed Sani-Bala, praised the NPA for the development and successful rollout of the Eto Call-Up System. 

He said the initiative has brought much-needed order to one of Nigeria’s most chaotic logistics corridors.

Sani-Bala described the system not merely as a digital application but as a breakthrough that has revolutionised maritime trucking operations in the country.

“The Eto Call-Up System is not just an app; it is a game-changer and a landmark milestone in Nigeria’s maritime logistics history. It has significantly reduced congestion and improved traffic flow along the port access roads, making the evacuation of import and export cargo smoother and more predictable,” he stated.

He used the occasion to thank both the NPA and the Lagos State Government, which he said has played a key role in ensuring compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures that underpin the system.

“On behalf of the trucking community, we express our heartfelt appreciation to the management of NPA for implementing the Eto Call-Up System, and to the Lagos State Government for its crucial role in enforcing the SOPs. The system has ushered in a new era of transparency, automation, and efficiency,” he said.

Sani-Bala pointed out that the introduction of the Eto platform has dismantled the exploitative practices that previously defined port access.

He noted that before the system was launched, truckers were compelled to pay exorbitant, unofficial fees of up to ₦300,000 to gain entry into the ports, often with no guarantee of success.

“Today, truckers can book their port access remotely, at a fixed cost of ₦21,500, without enduring endless queues or being subjected to the whims of roadside cartels. The manual call-up chaos is gone, and with it, the extortion and uncertainty that once plagued our operations,” he said.

He also pointed to a noticeable improvement in the port environment and surrounding communities.

“Truckers no longer sleep in their vehicles or collapse behind the wheel from exhaustion. The traffic bottlenecks have eased, the roads are now more fluid, and the surrounding areas have become more liveable.

“Import and export cargoes move in and out of the ports efficiently, businesses operate on time, and property values are rising again in Apapa. Families can now move about freely. Children are no longer stranded in traffic trying to get to school. That is the kind of real change meaningful reform brings,” he said.

Sani-Bala did not shy away from addressing recent criticisms of the Eto system. He dismissed what he called a “campaign of calumny” against the e-call-up initiative, attributing it to individuals who profited from the now-defunct manual system.

“We know who is behind these attacks on the Eto system. These are people who benefitted from the corrupt, inefficient manual system, and who now find themselves sidelined by automation. Their goal is to drag us backwards to a time of exploitation under the guise of access facilitation,” he said.

He called out the hypocrisy of those criticising the current ₦21,500 access fee, pointing out that many of them once demanded as much as ₦300,000 for the same service under the old system.

“It is ironic and frankly disgraceful that those who once extorted truckers now claim to be champions of fairness. If they truly cared about the welfare of truckers, they would have implemented a transparent system long ago,” he stated.

He concluded by calling on truckers to stay alert and protect the progress made.

“We urge all truckers to stand firm. The automation of port access is here to stay. The manual system is gone, and any attempt to return to that dark era must be resisted. 

“We commend the NPA, the Lagos State Government, and the operators of the Eto system, TTP, for restoring order and dignity to our roads and ports.”