Yinka Aroyewun, the president of the Council of Maritime Transport Union Associations (COMTUA), has accused the Nigerian Ports Authority of using the electronic call-up system for trucks in Lagos seaports to extort truck drivers.

The association, therefore, called for the review of the system’s operations.

“The call-ups system is a medium for extortion as a result of compromise between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the current dispenser of the service, which is the Truck Transit Parks (TTP),” claimed the COMTUA president. “They are more interested in the revenue generation than solving the problems we are facing, no implementation of policy. They will just sit down in their office, charge and book vehicles whereas, they are not concerned about the destination of these vehicles.”

Mr Aroyewun made the call in a statement in Lagos on Sunday at a joint meeting of the association’s board of trustees and the executive members.

”Stakeholders were not involved in the policy formulation while the dispenser of the system did not have detailed knowledge of the port environment,” he added. “If a vehicle is booked to return empty containers to the port, they get to the terminal and are told there is no space to receive these container, the container remains on our trucks for days, and they are still charging demurrage.”

The association reiterated that the e-call-up system had failed to solve the problems “rather it is a major means of extortion.”

Mr Aroyewun said the council also reviewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Mr Aroyewun disclosed that to ensure a more truck owner-friendly operation of the electronic call-up system and stop the seizure of their trucks, the association had engaged a lawyer.

He also alleged that security agencies often impound trucks for little or no offence, only for extortion.

“The collection by NPA for electronic call up is illegal. It can not be substantiated. Many of our trucks are arrested indiscriminately over flimsy excuses. We will no longer take the extortion and oppression of our members lightly,” he said.

(NAN)