NPA to address concerns over electronic truck call-up system

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is ready to tackle all concerns raised by port users on the implementation of the electronic scheduling system for trucks doing business in the ports.

NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, stated this on Tuesday while reviewing the state of implementation of the policy, popularly known as the “ETO”, a year after it took off.

“We are ready to effectively tackle all concerns raised by port stakeholders; having operated the novel electronic call-up system for about a year, it should be expected that some of the teething issues should give way.

“All lingering issues will require a bit of time to resolve. The important thing is that we are committed to resolving them,” he said.

“In particular, managing the transition from a manual to an electronic call-up system for cargo trucks can be tough, so we have implored the system operator to up its game, given the frustrations being expressed by users of the system.”

According to him, the electronic call-up system has revolutionised the delivery and evacuation of shipments at the port, hence the need to put in everything required to sustain its positive impact on the country’s port industry.

“We are quite aware that about a year after it was introduced, some are yet to fully integrate their trucking business with the eto system, so we are in regular touch with the system operator and very soon necessary remedies to address these issues would be rolled out,” he said.

Bello-Koko further explained that the progress so far achieved had improved time per trip and increased return on logistics investments for haulage operators.

He said, “You will recall that one of the very first places I visited personally, while as acting Managing Director, was the Ijora operational headquarters of the electronic call-up system. After that visit, I also undertook a first-hand assessment of the critical infrastructure concerning the delivery of eto at the two Lagos ports.”

The NPA Managing Director acknowledged that traffic has improved along the Mile 2 – Tin Can Island Port corridor despite ongoing road construction works.