Say cabals opposing innovation to replicate corruption at Lagos ports
Stakeholders in the trucking and logistics industry have reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the electronic call-up system at Onne Port to restore order along the port corridors and ensure the seamless movement of cargo.

They stressed the need to reorganise truck movements in and out of the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and the Lighter Ocean Terminal (LOT) at Onne to eliminate the persistent problem of illegal roadside parking that clogs the port access roads.

A chieftain of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Adeshina Ajibola, stated that implementing a fully automated system would not only streamline trade operations but also reduce the risk of road accidents.

He explained that trucks currently parked on both sides of the road should be moved to designated truck parks, adding that automating truck movements would support accurate data collection on throughput and other trade-related metrics.

Recall that three truck parks with a combined capacity of 600 trucks, along with an Export Processing Terminal, have already been constructed as part of investments in Onne Port to enhance trade efficiency.

Ajibola noted that unless the current situation is addressed, congestion will continue to choke major access roads around the Onne port axis. Also commenting on the development, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (Eastern Ports), Godwin Ololuka, noted that anyone who has visited Onne port would understand how haphazardly trucks are currently parked, creating dangerous conditions along the common user road stretching from the East-West Road into the port and cutting across local communities.

“The situation is not only chaotic but hazardous. With the e-call-up system and the establishment of truck parks, we can bring sanity to this mess,” he stated. He added that the system, already operational in Lagos, is expected to reduce gridlock and extortion along Onne port access roads.

Ololuka said the port authority has approved four truck parks to support the implementation of the call-up system. Of these, two are reportedly ready to commence operations, with one capable of accommodating up to 1,000 trucks through planned expansion. Ololuka, however, hinted at internal resistance from groups benefiting from the current disorganised system.

“Some truck owners and maritime unions are not pleased because the e-call-up will curb extortion along the roads. Naturally, there’s pushback,” he said.
Despite this, the chairman reaffirmed his commitment to sensitising stakeholders and ensuring the project’s success.

The Coordinating Secretary of the Onne Container Truck Drivers, Samuel Ossai, stated that truck drivers are eager to embrace the call-up system. He added that anyone opposing the initiative is likely motivated by selfish or disgruntled interests. Ossai also revealed that his group has concluded plans to sensitise members ahead of the system’s implementation.

The Chairman of Call-Up Technologies, Ayo Durowaye, explained that the call-up system was first introduced in Onne before its implementation in Lagos. He lamented that drivers who park on the roads instead of using designated truck parks often defecate along port corridors, polluting the access routes and the surrounding environment.

Durowaye emphasised that the port is a matter of national security and must be managed accordingly, noting that the movement of people and vehicles in and out of the facility should be strictly regulated to ensure safety and efficiency.
He pointed out that many critics of the system are not directly involved in the logistics value chain.

“Onne is the future. Only 40 per cent of the port area has been developed. We cannot afford to wait for problems to escalate before acting. We must be proactive,” he added.

Also speaking, a staff member of Call-Up Technologies, Mr. Mike Idike, said the mistakes made during the Lagos rollout have been corrected in the technology now being deployed at Onne.

Idike also stated that significant research has been undertaken to perfect the call-up system at Onne Port. He noted that during the initial rollout of the ETO system in Lagos, journey codes intended for truck access were fraudulently generated by unauthorised individuals and resold to other users at exorbitant prices.

Idike said the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology now being used in Onne port cannot be duplicated.

“The RFID tag responds only when the registered driver arrives at the electronically barricaded gates,” he explained.