NPA Busts Syndicate Faking e-Call Up At Ports

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on Sunday, busted a syndicate sabotaging the E-call up system also known as Eto with 413 fake truck number plates.

The e-Call up system was introduced by NPA in February 2021 for trucks at the Lagos ports in Lagos to end the gridlock witnessed on the road. The e-Call-up system was launched alongside an app called Eto, which truckers are expected to use to book turns to enter the port

But, in a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP, the authority said it intercepted a syndicate were Intercepted at the MPS pre- gate, Apapa, where fake e call up system tickets are generated, sabotaging the eto call up system.

The statement also disclosed that 282 units of fake Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers were also intercepted from the syndicate.

“In a move geared towards frontally tackling the activities of unpatriotic elements sabotaging NPA’s electronic truck traffic management (e- Call Up) system also know as eto, the Authority’s officials and security agents undertook a spot check of the MPS Pregate where a mind boggling discovery of 249 fake vehicle plate numbers and 149 units of Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers.

“Further checks of the terminal led to a discovery of another 164 pieces of vehicle number plates and 133 pieces of MSS Stickers that are not fixed on any truck in readiness to be deployed for proxy booking.”

“The fake number plates and MSS tickets were immediately confiscated and the terminal manager invited for questioning,” the NPA statement read.

The authority further disclosed in the statement that the development validates the Authority’s position on the existence of a third force to undermine the electronic Call Up system.

“This development validates the Authority’s position on the existence of a deliberate and well orchestrated effort to undermine the electronic Call Up system which was initiated by the NPA to eliminate human interface in managing traffic in and out of the Ports as a measure of sustainably taming the menace of traffic gridlock hurting the national economy.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority is however resolute in consolidating the e-call up project and its other process automation initiatives in order to grow the maritime sector to its full potential.”