Truck drivers operating at the Tin Can Island port have alleged the failure of the Electronic Truck Call-Up system popularly called (Eto), and owned by the Truck Transit Park (TTP) Limited, and designed for the management of truck movement and access to and from the port.
The truck drivers lamented that despite the establishment of the Eto truck call-up system, truck operations at the Tin Can port have become a herculean task.
They alleged that the electronic call-up system at the Tin Can Port is just on paper and not in reality. In a chat with our correspondent, the Vice President of the National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP), Rilwan Bello, alleged human interference and connivance in the TTP operations at the Tin Can Port.
He said, “The reality of TTP is on paper, not in the basic operation of a seamless flow of trucks into the port without human intervention. Go and look at what is happening from the Satellite Town to the ‘pre-gate’; all those trucks are on the road. We have told the state government; we have advised them several times that if they want to ensure the operation goes well, it cannot be because the way the satellite parks are scattered; it is not strategic, like Apapa. We need a big expanse of land to ensure there is a proper parking lot around that area. Go and look at what is happening there; we have area boys, non-state actors, NURTW; they are the ones collecting free money. So, TTP is not in operation at Tin Can, as far as I am concerned; they are just collecting free money without offering any value.”
Our correspondent who visited the Tin Can port, observed clusters of trucks parked indiscriminately on the road leading to the Port.
In a chat with some of the drivers, they alleged the failure of the e-call-up system. This is even as they stated that they are faced with no fewer than 25 extortion points manned by the Police, Park and Garages, ECOMOG, Oduduwa boys, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Apapa LGA, and touts, among others.
Speaking specifically, a driver; Alao Yusuf said that despite the presence of TTP, truck drivers at Tin Can port still pay as much as N50,000 at each extortion point. He also accused the petroleum products tanker drivers of parking indiscriminately on the road from the Coconut Junction towards the Cele Junction, adding that the attendant confusion that arises contributes to making the situation at Tin-Can Port pathetically chaotic.
He listed areas where extortion takes place along the Tin Can port to include Fatgbems: N2,500 (Park and Garages Adeola, LASTMA); After FATGBEMS N2,000 (Park and Garages Deola); Descending Mile 2 N1500 (Park and Garages ECOMOG); Mile 2 top bridge: N5,000 (Park and Garages ECOMOG, Police, LASTMA); Freedom: N2,000 (Police); Otto Whoff: N2000 (Park and Garages ECOMOG, Police, and LASTMA); UBA: N6000 (Park/Garages, Police, LASTMA); Kirikiri bridge: N2000 (Police); RRS: N4000 (Park and Garage Student, Police); MTN: N2000 (Park/Garages Student, Police); Before Sunrise, among others.
However, in response to the concerns raised by truck drivers about the Electronic Truck Call-Up System (Eto) at the Tin Can Island port, the Head of Operations at TTP, Irabor Akonoman, affirmed that the Eto system is indeed active and fully operational at the Tin Can port.
He stated that, contrary to what the truckers have alleged, every truck entering the port strictly adheres to the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). He said that in the past three weeks, TTP has taken action against more than 300 trucks that attempted to access the port without following the SOP, demonstrating the effectiveness of the access control system.
Addressing the issue of human intervention, Akonoman explained that the presence of personnel at the port is essential to ensure a smooth flow of operations. He stated that technology and human personnel work hand in hand to prevent potential misuse, explaining that even in high-security facilities around the world, advanced technology is complemented by the presence of security officers, secret service agents, and police officers. He added that technology is designed to support and enhance human inputs and intelligence rather than replace them entirely.
Regarding the problem of trucks parking along the Tin Can port access road, Akonoman emphasized that the responsibility for enforcing parking regulations lies with government agencies. He said that any vehicle, including trucks, may park in designated areas if permitted, but the enforcement of these regulations is the domain of government agencies.
Akonoman also noted that a significant portion of the traffic congestion issues, approximately 80%, are caused by tankers, which are not currently under the e-call-up system. He said the remaining 20% of issues can be addressed with more effective enforcement measures.
“It is essential to clarify that Eto operations are indeed active and fully functional at Tin Can port. Every truck entering the Tin Can port adheres strictly to the laid-down Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Over the past three weeks alone, we have taken significant actions by sanctioning over 300 trucks attempting to gain access without following the SOP. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the access control system in place.
“Regarding the issue of human interference, it is a common practice to have personnel on-site to ensure a smooth flow of operations. Human presence complements the technology, preventing potential misuse. Even in high-security facilities worldwide, despite advanced technology, human personnel such as security officers, secret service agents, and police officers are deployed.
Technology is designed to aid and complement human inputs and intelligence, not to eliminate them entirely. Concerning trucks parking along Tin Can port, it is essential to note that any vehicle, including trucks, can park in designated areas if allowed. The responsibility of enforcement lies with government agencies. Trucks parked indefinitely, regardless of having an Eto ticket or not, should be towed or fined. Enforcement agencies play a crucial role in maintaining order. It is also worth mentioning that a significant portion of the traffic congestion, around 80 per cent, is caused by tankers, not under the e-call-up system. The remaining 20 per cent of issues can be resolved with effective enforcement measures,” he said.
