Apapa Gridlock: Govt begins electronic truck call-up system

The ETO application will be used for scheduling the entry and exit of trucks into the port from February 27.

Oyindamola Olubajo • January 23, 2021

Apapa gridlock used to illustrate the story.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday announced the commencement of Electronic Truck call-up system known as ETO, in a bid to manage the movement of trucks at the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports, Apapa.

The Apapa axis of Lagos has been notorious for traffic congestions that negatively affect daily activities of commuters as long manhours are lost to delays.

A statement signed by Ibrahim Nasiru, NPA’s spokesman, said the ETO application will be used for scheduling the entry and exit of trucks into the port from February 27.

While stating that the transporters and truck drivers will be required to download and register on the ETO application, Mr. Nasiru said “All trucks doing business at the ports will be required to park at the approved truck parks until they are called up into the port through the application.”

The statement read in part “Cargo owners should please note that empty containers can only be returned to the ports through the approved holding bays of shipping companies using the ETO Platform. It is the responsibility of the shipping company to move empty containers from their holding bay to the Port.

“All cargo owners have to do is drop their empty containers at the holding bay of the shipping company. The shipping company will then make the necessary bookings on the ETO platform to return empty containers to the Port.

“The management of the NPA solicits the cooperation of transporters, truck drivers, cargo owners, clearing agents shipping companies and all port users in the implementation of the project, which will bring order and sanity to the ports access roads.

“Non-compliance to the use of ETO and its guidelines will result in denial of access into the Ports, impounding of trucks, and withdrawal of registration/operating license.”

Last year, the state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had announced that his administration would take over traffic management from the Presidential Task Force to restore sanity to Apapa and its environs.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu said a team of about 400 to 500 men from the state’s traffic management agency, LASTMA and police officers from Area B would be dedicated to clearing the Apapa gridlock.

“The state government is to set up a seamless operation to have a team of LASTMA about 400 to 500, dedicated to Apapa gridlock,” the governor said.

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