By Roland Ekama
The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has issued an urgent call to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) management and handlers of the eto electronic call-up system, urging immediate action to address what they describe as unfriendly policies hampering the direct delivery of cargo from the Lagos Port.
According to Abdullahi Moh’d Inuwa, Chairman of NARTO Metropolitan Unit, the new policies under the eto call-up system have led to significant delays in truck approvals and discouraged truck operators from servicing the port. “Direct delivery of cargo requires between 48 to 54 trucks daily per vessel, and with multiple vessels, at least 120 to 150 trucks are needed. However, the current approval process is slow, and many truckers now prefer loading outside the port due to the multiple levies and restrictions imposed,” Inuwa stated.
He warned that these developments threaten the business interests of consignees and importers, with many considering diverting cargo to other ports. “Trucks are being forced to offload inside sheds, incurring extra charges and demurrage, which are eventually passed on to end users. Despite government efforts to reduce duties on agricultural products, the call-up process remains a major bottleneck,” he added.
The trucker maintained that prompt intervention is crucial to restore confidence and ensure the smooth evacuation of cargo, which is vital for Nigeria’s import-dependent economy.
Truckers and port users have repeatedly complained about extortion by security agencies, racketeering in the call-up system, and policy inconsistencies that have resulted in gridlock, delays, and financial losses. Industry sources confirm that the current system often favors certain operators, leaving others stranded and forcing importers to pay exorbitant fees to revalidate delivery orders.
NARTO is calling for a review of the eto call-up system to ensure fairness and efficiency, warning that continued inefficiencies could lead to further congestion, trade disruptions, and a shift of cargo traffic away from Apapa Port. The association also appealed to security agencies to stop the harassment and extortion of truck drivers, and urged the NPA to harmonize safety requirements to avoid multiple taxation.
