Customs agents, importers protest discriminatory call-up policy

Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) and importers have kicked against the alleged Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) imposed call-up policy and what they describe as illegal and duplicated fees under the ETO system.

In a petition addressed to the Managing Director of the NPA and copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Minister of Finance, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the stakeholders expressed their displeasure at the decisions.

Dated January 25, 2025, the petition lamented a 100 per cent increase in ETO call-up fees and a new “evacuation call-up” scheme, which the agents described as unjustified.

The agents alleged that the NPA introduced the evacuation call-up scheme, allowing certain trucks to bypass the standard pre-gate procedures by purchasing an express call-up pass at an inflated cost of between N150,000 and N200,000 per truck.

The Guardian learnt that the evacuation call-up system, initially meant for priority cargo evacuation at a fee of N10,750, has been converted to a black-market scheme, with prices soaring to as high as N200,000 per truck.

While the new system allows those who can afford the exorbitant fee to bypass satellite parks and pre-gate holding areas, gaining direct access to ports, truckers using the official N21,500 call-up system endure waiting periods of two to three weeks before gaining entry.

The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, condemned what he termed an “unauthorised and unjustified” high charge. He argued that the fees imposed under the ETO call-up system are already covered by existing port lease and concession agreements, making the additional imposition unlawful.

According to him, truck operators and importers already pay for vehicle entry permits (VEP) and tenure parking rates (TPR) under the Maximum Tariffs for Cargo Dues.

The customs agent argued that the ETO Call-Up system, originally designed to regulate truck movements and reduce port congestion, falls under the statutory responsibility of the NPA.

He claimed that its implementation has led to unnecessary financial burdens on port users. Amiwero said multiple protest letters were sent to government agencies, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), which initially promised to investigate the matter.

About 10 months later, he said, no feedback has been provided, while customs agents and importers now face an additional 100 per cent increase in charges. The petition also pointed out that before the concession of ports in 2005, each terminal had designated holding bays for trucks and trailer parks, arguing that the failure to include these in the lease agreements with terminal operators has led to severe gridlocks and inefficiencies.

They said rather than addressing the issues through structural solutions, the NPA is attempting to resolve them by imposing additional levies.

Also, Amiwero cited Nigeria’s commitment to the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), specifically Article 6, which prohibits imposing charges that are not directly tied to cargo service delivery.

The customs agents also insisted that the NPA should bear the cost of the ETO system as it falls under the agency’s statutory duty to regulate traffic as stipulated by Section 32(a) of the NPA Act.

The General Secretary of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners of Nigeria (AMATO), Mohammed Sani, also condemned the growing disparity in the truck call-up system, alleging that the new “evacuation call-up” scheme was fueling corruption and congestion while favouring a privileged few.