Chief Ogungbemi Oluremi (President, AMATO)
The major problem we are facing is automation. There will be so many manipulations and anomalies in anything that has human to human interface. I will say Eto is working and trying but the performance is below expectation. They ought to have gone far than where we are at present. However, no policy or regulation is perfect at the first attempt. It requires observing areas that need to be adjusted and worked on. Most of the people complaining are the people who were benefiting from the previous cabal, but now the system is not favoring them that is why they are complaining. Anyway, where we are now is better than where we were coming from in terms of automation. In every situation, it is always good to have a competitor. In this case, everyone will ensure that things are done right. But we are still trying to put heads together to ensure that there are amendments in making the system better than what we are having now.
Ojo Peter Akintoye (ANLCA Chieftain)
I don’t believe that. There is no system that does not have its own teething problems. The more we do it, the more we advance in those issues. The truck drivers and owners are used to the old system of looking for the quickest way to get into the port and carry their cargoes; with no trucks making use of the holding bays. This has given us serious problems in terms of congestion. But the e call-up system has made things orderly forcing the truckers to use the holding bays. There is nothing bad in allowing more investors to come in, but I must say there is a great improvement in the system compared to what we faced in 2020.
Stanley Ezenga (Former PRO, NAGAFF)
I think the Eto call up being a novel system should be allowed to stay. We know the problems we faced prior to the e call-up which has in a way solved those problems. I know they have some teething problems which are being overcome and the system is beginning to work seamlessly. Bringing in another investor is going to muddle the whole thing and the whole issue is going to come up again. Even though there are allegations of exhortation along the port corridors, these allegations are not because of Eto but the touts. For now, the system is working because there is some level of predictability of when trucks will pick cargoes at the ports. The Eto should be allowed to stay for now. The problem we had before is already getting solved, so why change the winning team.
Mr. Babatunde Mukaila (National Secretary, ANLCA)
I believe in competition. However, we have not seen a reason to bring in new players as regards this laudable project that is being handled by Messrs Truck Transit Park (TTP).. I think they should be allowed to run it alone for now.
Comrade Stephen Ibe (National President T-PACI)
That is a very good one. The Eto system is now a failure which is not supposed to be. How can only one company be handling the Electronic call-up system in our ports? It should be made competitive. Any business that you want to float must be competitive. Once it is competitive, you will see it move. If it is run by just one person, he or she will relax and do whatever he feels like and everyone will be forced to comply. If the electronic system is made competitive, then it will be a success. I am of the opinion that it should be thrown open to other investors.
Festus Ukwu (National Secretary, NCMDLCA)
That is a good omen. The earlier the better, when there is competition, there will be efficiency. When there is another investor contesting with the current system, NPA will put up a proper structure to make sure it is effective and the people will have different choices. I support such an idea if it would be possible. NPA will always create a monopoly especially now that they are not really in full control of the port. If another investor comes for that purpose, that will be a very good one.
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