Hoodlums destroy e-call up facility at Lagos seaport

By Fredrick Wright

Some truck drivers appears to be sabotaging the government’s effort at retiring sanity to ports, as a truck driver deliberately destroyed one of the electronic call up facilities meant to ease the protracted gridlock on port access roads.

The electronic truck call-up system, known as ètò was introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority in February 2021, to manage the movement of trucks around the port corridors in Apapa. 

Prior to the deployment of this system, the Nigerian Ports Authority and Trucks Transit Parks Limited, technology company and owners of the ètò solution had carried out sensitisation campaign since October 2020 on how the system works, how it will create more opportunities for truck transporters and ultimately improve Nigeria’s economy. 

Yet, touts and some malicious actors continue to try to sabotage the system. 

In a video obtained by SlyeNews, a caterpillar truck driver on Tuesday, 12th October, deliberately rammed into the access barrier at the Abuja exit gate of Tincan Island port, Lagos.

The driver claimed his brakes had failed. However, in the video after the accident, he is clearly seen driving the truck steadily and in control. 

Another interesting fact from the video is that this caterpillar truck driver approached the barrier from the side of the barrier, not in front or from behind, he drove from the side, a rather awkward angle.

 Interestingly, the caterpillar truck does not proceed towards the concrete fence just beyond the barrier, a fact that would be evident if it was indeed a case of failed braking system.

We gathered from TTP staff on ground at the exit gates that several touts had been threatening to pull down the barrier just so they could carry out their illegal activities of entry and exit into the ports without ètò call-up. 

A source in TTP told SlyeNews that the caterpillar truck driver has been apprehended and handed over to the Nigerian police.

“The open sabotage of the call-up system is a sad development and a stark reminder of how rife corruption is in our society. 

“We hope the NPA and TTP will continue to sensitise the public on why the electronic call-up system is a viable solution for tackling the Apapa gridlock”, the source told SlyeNews.

By Fredrick Wright

Some truck drivers appears to be sabotaging the government’s effort at retiring sanity to ports, as a truck driver deliberately destroyed one of the electronic call up facilities meant to ease the protracted gridlock on port access roads.

The electronic truck call-up system, known as ètò was introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority in February 2021, to manage the movement of trucks around the port corridors in Apapa. 

Prior to the deployment of this system, the Nigerian Ports Authority and Trucks Transit Parks Limited, technology company and owners of the ètò solution had carried out sensitisation campaign since October 2020 on how the system works, how it will create more opportunities for truck transporters and ultimately improve Nigeria’s economy. 

Yet, touts and some malicious actors continue to try to sabotage the system. 

In a video obtained by SlyeNews, a caterpillar truck driver on Tuesday, 12th October, deliberately rammed into the access barrier at the Abuja exit gate of Tincan Island port, Lagos.

The driver claimed his brakes had failed. However, in the video after the accident, he is clearly seen driving the truck steadily and in control. 

Another interesting fact from the video is that this caterpillar truck driver approached the barrier from the side of the barrier, not in front or from behind, he drove from the side, a rather awkward angle.

 Interestingly, the caterpillar truck does not proceed towards the concrete fence just beyond the barrier, a fact that would be evident if it was indeed a case of failed braking system.

We gathered from TTP staff on ground at the exit gates that several touts had been threatening to pull down the barrier just so they could carry out their illegal activities of entry and exit into the ports without ètò call-up. 

A source in TTP told SlyeNews that the caterpillar truck driver has been apprehended and handed over to the Nigerian police.

“The open sabotage of the call-up system is a sad development and a stark reminder of how rife corruption is in our society. 

“We hope the NPA and TTP will continue to sensitise the public on why the electronic call-up system is a viable solution for tackling the Apapa gridlock”, the source told SlyeNews.