How Eto Call-up System Is Reducing Truck Waiting Time At Lagos Seaports

Before 2021, it took weeks before trucks could access the nation’s seaports to evacuate already cleared cargoes due to the perennial traffic gridlock on the port access road. The gridlock, however, defied all known solutions introduced by the government to tackle the crisis.

Solutions ranging from introduction of military taskforce to presidential task force headed by a former commissioner of Transportation in Lagos state, Kayode Opeifa.

The various task force created by the government were all accused of high-handedness, bribery, corruption and sabotage by port users especially truck owners and drivers.

The bribery then, according to stakeholders, fueled perennial gridlock on the road that it took an average of two weeks to access the Tin-Can Island and Apapa seaports then another one week to get to owners warehouse.

During the traffic crisis, haulage cost rose by over 100 per cent with importers abandoning their cargoes in the seaport over inability to move it out of the port due to high haulage cost.

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However, to solve the crisis, the NPA, introduced the electronic Call-Up system also known as Eto system to bring in cargoes in and out of the nation’s seaports.

This policy has resulted in the free movement of articulated vehicles in and out of the port complex after they had been cleared by the ports authorities and other relevant security agencies.

Without doubt, the NPA’s ETO is a phenomenal and timely intervention that has magically decongested the ports area and reduced the travel time for truck drivers.

Operationally, the gains of ETO are attested to by all stakeholders, with the operators saying the platform successfully facilitated 1.16million articulated port bound and non-port bound trucks in two years.

TTP has made a profound impact on the logistics and transportation industry, delivering innovative solutions that streamline the cargo movement process, reduce congestion, and improve the overall efficiency of port operations.

The managing director and co-founder, Jama Onwubuariri, disclosed that the company’s technology has contributed significantly to a massive reduction in the cost of moving cargo out of the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports by 65%.

According to him, the cost reduction has provided significant cost savings to businesses and improving the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.

He further disclosed that the platform successfully reduced traffic around the port corridors, resulting in a significant improvement in the average turnaround time for port-bound trucks from an average of two weeks to just three days.

“We are proud to mark this milestone, and to see the positive impact that our technology has had on the industry,” said Onwubuariri. He stated further, “Our commitment to delivering innovative solutions has allowed us to revolutionize the way that cargo is transported in and out of Lagos ports, and we are confident that our continued growth and success will bring even greater benefits to the industry in the years to come.”

Onwubuariri who was also a co-founder of the mobility technology company, said they have established themselves as a leader in the sector and has received widespread recognition for its innovative solutions and impactful results.

“As the company looks ahead to the future, we remains focused on delivering cutting-edge technology and excellent service delivery and is committed to improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.”

Also, the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, applauded the call-up system, saying the incremental deployment of the electronic call-up infrastructure for cargo trucks (known as “Eto”), has to a large extent resolved the endemic Apapa vehicular gridlock.

He, however, debunked insinuations that the ‘Eto’ system has been compromised.

The NPA helmsman said, “the ‘Eto’ truck booking system was launched in February 2021, and when I assumed office my first act was to carry out a comprehensive review of the system and we directed the system manager to immediately address all areas of deficiencies. These infrastructure upgrades coupled with the support of the Lagos state hovernment and other stakeholders, the vehicular gridlock along the Ijora – Apapa axis had reduced by over 80 per cent and am sure residents of Apapa can attest to this”, he added.

According to him, as part of efforts to kick-off the electronic call up system, a fully automated transit truck park was established while 29 satellite parks were approved to ensure that trucks coming to do business in the port are properly profiled and verified before accessing the port. Out of the 29 parks, about eight have met the required standards, which include installation of bollards, CCTVs, automated gate systems and relevant IT equipment.

He noted that apart from few isolated cases, where some truck drivers try to subvert the system by not adhering strictly to the truck manifest arrangement with its attendant disruption, the e-call up has been able to streamline cargo evacuation and truck movements, thereby bringing a level of sanity to the roads.

Also, the President, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, applauded the Eto Call-up system for helping to sanitise the port access road.

Though, he said the Eto Call-up system like every other system still needed to be upgraded, disclosed that truck owners want a situation where trucks won’t be on the road anymore.

“I will say they have tried. They have tried their best and more is still expected from them. Not yet uhuru because with them, we are almost at our desired destination. The platform should, however, further help us to reduce the rate truck is clogging the access roads. Though, there are some minor hiccups and still some areas that needed to improve on because there is no way a system is, there are still room for improvement and am expecting them to improve than where we are now presently. I want to believe the system still needs improvement but it has helped to some extent and I expect a situation whereby trucks won’t be in the road again.”

Ogungbemi, however, advised the TTP that trucks that illegally manipulate the process shouldn’t be allowed access into the seaport.

“Also, anyone that manipulate the processes and finds it’s way illegally into the terminal or the port, there should be a way that the barrier won’t open for such person, moreso, some people are still cutting corners so they should do something about it. Technology does not recognise any one. Even though, you find your way illegally, the system shouldn’t allow you in, but still, the system should be amended and as far as we truck owners are concerned, the system has helped reduced truck waiting time,” he stated.