Not a few maritime transport stakeholders agreed that the ETO call up regime being promoted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and implemented by the Truck Transit Park Limited has outlived its usefulness and needs to be scrapped.
In response to frequent peaceful protests against the regime, Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) wrote a strongly worded open letter to the Managing Director of NPA to end the failed regime so that protests arising from its failure may not escalate into potential crises and civil disturbances.
In the open letter signed by the its National President, Comrade Adeyinka Aroyewun, COMTUA emphasized that drivers, owners and other relevant stakeholders in the industry have raised concerns and several criticisms against the eto regime; even as on 16th December, 2023, drivers protested peacefully carrying placards with different inscriptions against the system around the Pory Area in Tin Can Island.
It noted that over the past few months, it has become increasingly evident that the call up regime has been marred by numerous issues, including favouritism, prolonged turnaround time, extortion, and racketeering, adding that these problems have created an environment of inefficiency and unfairness, leading to growing frustration among stakeholders in the port system.
“One of the major concerns is the prevalence of favoritism within the call up regime. It has been observed that certain trucking companies and individuals receive preferential treatment, leading to an uneven playing field. This not only undermines the integrity of the system but also creates a sense of injustice among other participants.
“Furthermore, the prolonged turnaround time for trucks entering and exiting the ports is causing significant delays and disruptions in the supply chain. This delay adversely affects businesses, leading to financial losses and decreased productivity. The call up regime, in its current form, is failing to address this critical issue efficiently.
“Moreover, there have been reports of extortion and racketeering within the call up regime. Unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of the system have been exploiting truck owners and drivers, demanding illegal payments in exchange for preferential treatment or the removal of unnecessary delays. This illegal activity not only tarnishes the reputation of the Nigerian Ports Authority but also creates an environment of corruption and lawlessness,” the letter stated.
It maintained that the traffic gridlock which the system intends to resolve has remained with the system.
To this end COMTUA argued that considering the above-mentioned challenges, NPA should take immediate action to address the issues and end the call up regime.
The association advised on the need to establish a fair, transparent, and efficient system that will ensure seamless operations at the ports and mitigate the risks of further crises.
It recommended that a comprehensive evaluation of the call up regime be conducted, involving all relevant stakeholders, including truck owners, drivers, port officials, and industry experts, stating further that the evaluation should aim to identify the shortcomings of the current system and propose viable solutions that will address the issues of favoritism, prolonged turnaround time, extortion, and racketeering.
“Additionally, it is imperative to enhance transparency and accountability within the port system by implementing robust mechanisms to monitor the activities of all stakeholders involved in the call up process. This will help to minimize corruption and ensure a level playing field for all participants.
“I believe that by taking prompt and decisive action to end the call up regime and implement necessary reforms, the Nigerian Ports Authority can restore confidence among stakeholders, promote efficiency and prevent further crises associated with the current system,” the open letter restated.