The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated that electronic call-up system designed to regulate the movement of trucks in and out of the nation’s ports is a permanent feature and will not be scrapped.
This clarification came from the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, during a phone interview with The PUNCH on Monday. He made the statement while addressing calls from some freight forwarders who had demanded the suspension of the system recently introduced at Onne Port.
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) had, in a letter to the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, voiced its opposition to the move. The association’s National President, Frank Ogunojemite, stated that the implementation of the call-up system at Onne had introduced additional costs for port users. He argued that such charges were unnecessary, given that the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) within the port already has a structure capable of managing traffic efficiently.
Ogunojemite noted that the new policy contradicts the Federal Government’s agenda of lowering port operation costs, promoting the ease of doing business, and making Nigeria a maritime hub in West Africa. He warned that duplicating systems and imposing fresh charges could weaken Nigeria’s competitiveness and discourage exporters.
He also expressed concern that exporters were now burdened with more fees and administrative bottlenecks, which could force them to divert shipments to ports in neighbouring countries. “These inefficiencies and extra costs not only affect trade but also harm the broader economy,” he said. The group urged the NPA to suspend the Onne call-up system and conduct a thorough stakeholder review before further implementation.
APFFLON also appealed to the Authority to ensure consistency in port management policies across all terminals, particularly in locations where adequate infrastructure already exists to handle truck traffic. “We believe that addressing these issues will encourage exports and align with the Federal Government’s trade facilitation goals,” Ogunojemite added.
Responding to the concerns, Onyemekara insisted that the electronic call-up platform,known as “Ètò”,is here to stay. He highlighted its success in Lagos ports, where it has significantly eased congestion and improved efficiency. “The system has proven effective in Lagos, and we are replicating that success in Onne. If some stakeholders are unhappy while others are satisfied, it shows the system is functional,” he said.
He emphasized that the initiative was not targeted at any particular group but rather aimed at creating an orderly and transparent process for port access. “It has worked in Apapa and Tincan; there is no reason it won’t work in Onne,” he added.
The Ètò system, introduced by the NPA, is a digital scheduling platform that regulates truck entry into port areas. Through an online booking process, truck operators register, queue virtually, and are only allowed access to the port once they receive authorization via the platform. The goal, according to the NPA, is to reduce gridlock, curb corruption, and ensure smooth port operations across Nigeria’s major maritime gateways.
