Stakeholders and licensed customs agents operating at the Eastern Ports have urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to overhaul the E-call-up system to improve its operational efficiency.
Journalists report that the stakeholders made their stance known during a media briefing held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The resolution was jointly signed by Mr Innocent Akuvue, President of the National Shippers Association of Nigeria; Mr Joshua Ahuama, Zonal Coordinator of the Eastern zone of the Association of Nigeria Customs Agents; and Mr Emeka Nwosu, National Vice Chairman of the Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents, among others.
Correspondent recalls that the E-call up system—commonly known as the Eto ticket—was introduced by the NPA to control truck traffic and alleviate congestion at Lagos ports, especially Tin Can and Apapa.
The stakeholders, however, raised concerns over the proposed extension of the system to the Eastern Ports—including Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Warri—highlighting inadequate infrastructure as a key challenge to its effectiveness.
They called on the Federal Government to address critical infrastructural deficits in the region, particularly the urgent completion of the East-West Road.
The group also advocated for policy reforms to enhance the performance of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone as a means to strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
In their remarks, the stakeholders criticised the current implementation of the E-call up system at Lagos Ports, citing widespread corruption and lack of proper coordination.
According to them, although the official cost of an Eto ticket is N20,750, black market activities have driven the price up to as much as N400,000. Freight forwarders are reportedly forced to pay these inflated fees due to the absence of viable alternatives.
“The E-call up system has been marred by corruption and disorder at the Lagos Ports,” they said. “The ports continue to suffer from persistent congestion due to poor coordination. Truckers now face extended delays and incur additional fees at loading bays.”
They further stated that the system had not demonstrated any significant improvement to port operations, lacking transparency in cargo movement and logistics coordination.
“There is an urgent need for a systems overhaul to accommodate and boost port operations across all regions,” the group concluded.
Nonetheless, they commended the operational model at the Eastern Ports, noting that it had contributed to improved efficiency and facilitated ease of doing business in the region.
(NAN)