The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has confirmed that it has discovered a fake electronic call-up syndicate.

The NPA in a statement late Monday night said this was in a move geared towards frontally tackling the activities of unpatriotic elements sabotaging the Authority’s electronic truck traffic management (e-CallUp) system, also known as “eto.”

“The Authority’s officials and security agents undertook a spot check of the MPS Pregate and made a mind-boggling discovery of 249 fake vehicle plate numbers and 149 units of Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers,” NPA said.

It added that further checks of the terminal led to the 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 NPA further revealed that the fake number plates and MSS tickets were immediately confiscated, and the Terminal Manager was invited for questioning.

It said this development validates the Authority’s position on the existence of a deliberate and well-organised effort to undermine the electronic call-up system.

Meanwhile, the electronic call-up system was initiated by the Authority to eliminate human interaction in managing traffic in and out of the port.

According to the NPA, it is 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,” it said.
[ad unit=2]