The failure of the Lagos State Government to implement the electronic call-up system for trucks and tankers at the Lekki-Epe axis after two unsuccessful attempts is raising concerns among businesses and residents.

The government initially scheduled August 1, 2024, to launch the e-call-up system but failed to do so, subsequently rescheduling it for September 23, 2024, which also did not take place.

According to the Lagos State Government, the e-call-up system was intended to manage truck and tanker movements along the Lekki-Epe corridor, aiming to prevent severe congestion caused by articulated vehicles and improve the efficiency of logistics operations.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Seun Osiyemi, had assured stakeholders that the system was ready for launch on September 23, emphasising that any emerging issues would be addressed as the system operated.

“We understand there will be teething problems, but we need to start now to prevent the corridor from becoming another Apapa,” Osiyemi stated.

However, one month later, the e-call-up system designed to manage truck arrivals at the refinery and the seaport, ensuring that only those with pre-approved slots would access the industrial zone, has yet to begin.

This measure was aimed at avoiding the type of traffic jams that have plagued other major ports, but the traffic situation around the Lekki-Epe area remains unchanged.

As production increases and logistical demands continue to rise, stakeholders warn that the absence of this critical infrastructure could lead to severe traffic congestion, resembling past challenges faced in the Apapa area.

They are urging immediate action to prevent a crisis that could significantly impact the region’s economic growth and operational efficiency.

Truck drivers who operate in the area have expressed frustration over the lack of coordination and delays in starting the electronic call-up system.

They are concerned about the increasing number of trucks entering the area daily and fear that this situation will become unmanageable once the refinery ramps up production.

The Secretary General of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Mohammed Sani, emphasised the urgent need for the e-call-up system to be implemented quickly to avoid massive traffic jams and delays.

He noted that further postponements would exacerbate the problem in the area.

“They keep promising us that the e-call-up will start soon, but we are yet to see the implementation,” he said.

Residents and businesses in the area are also worried about the potential for severe traffic congestion if adequate measures are not implemented promptly.

The Apapa area, which is a residential zone, experienced significant out-migration due to gridlock, affecting the real estate market as businesses and residents left.

There are concerns that the Lekki-Epe axis, now a hub for real estate investment, might face a similar fate if traffic congestion is not addressed promptly.

A worker in the Ajah area, Solomon Okoh, highlighted the increasing flow of trucks into the Lekki-Epe axis, expressing concern that the situation could become unmanageable if not addressed swiftly.

The National Secretary of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Mr. Aloga Ogbogo, expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in implementing the e-call-up system, which is meant to manage truck movements around the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Port.

He noted that while some logistics and infrastructure developments might be underway, delays in the system’s implementation could disrupt operations and negatively impact both businesses and residents.

Ogbogo called on the government and relevant authorities to accelerate the process to avoid a traffic crisis similar to that experienced in Apapa.

He pointed out that the industrial cluster, which includes the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, and other businesses, is becoming a high-traffic area due to increased production activities.

“They need to put logistics in place, including parking areas and the software for the e-call-up system. If they don’t organise the area properly, there will be chaos in terms of trucking and logistics needs for companies exporting from the Free Trade Zone and the refinery.

“For the economic benefits of the industrial hub to be fully realized, the infrastructure to support smooth operations must be in place, including the e-call-up system,” Ogbogo added.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, expressed confidence that the situation can be effectively managed, noting that the traffic issues seen at Tin Can and Apapa Ports are unlikely to be replicated in the Lekki zone.

Yusuf suggested that integrating pipelines or smaller vessels could reduce the burden on the roads, even though trucks will remain a necessary part of the logistics chain for areas not connected by waterways.

The President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, emphasised that without proper planning, the area surrounding the refinery could face severe congestion, similar to the long-standing issues in Apapa.

Amiwero highlighted the importance of forward-thinking infrastructure and logistics planning, drawing lessons from the Apapa Port concession process, which overlooked critical components like holding bays and trailer parks, leading to persistent traffic problems.

He expressed concerns about whether adequate infrastructure has been established to handle increased traffic around the Dangote Refinery, stressing the need for holding bays and a well-planned logistics channel to prevent congestion.

“If there are no holding bays for trailers or a well-organized system, the area could become clogged with trucks, causing significant delays and disruptions,” Amiwero warned.