Contrary to views dismissing the need for a call-up system at the Onne Port in Rivers State, truckers and industry stakeholders have rallied behind the push for a fully automated truck management system, describing it as a necessary reform to enhance efficiency, safety, and trade facilitation at the Eastern ports.
Speaking with journalists, Adeshina Ajibola, South-South Chieftain of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), emphasized that the adoption of a digital call-up system will not only streamline the movement of trucks in and out of the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) but also eliminate the roadside parking menace that has become a daily challenge around Onne port corridors.
Ajibola noted that truck congestion along Onne port’s access roads continues to disrupt traffic flow and poses significant safety risks. According to him, proper reordering of truck movement and enforcement of park usage will drastically reduce accidents and improve trade throughput data accuracy. He also stated that full automation is the key, citing the shortcomings of the partially automated ETO system at the Lagos ports.
“The Lagos call-up system has not yielded optimal results due to its quasi-automated design. At Onne, if we adopt full automation with proper stakeholder input, it will be far more effective,” he said.
Ajibola explained that during a recent visit to Onne Port at the invitation of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, he observed a relatively organized environment compared to Lagos ports, but warned that without regulation, illegal roadside parking could escalate.
Meanwhile, it was recalled that three truck parks with a combined holding capacity of 600 trucks, along with an Export Processing Terminal, have already been constructed to support port operations at Onne.
Another trucker, Mr. John Chukwu, acknowledged that while the policy was introduced without full consultation with drivers, compliance is essential for progress. In a similar vein, Mr. Mike Idike praised the improved technology behind the Onne e-call-up system, stating that efforts were made to avoid the pitfalls experienced in Lagos, especially concerning unauthorized code generation.
“In Lagos, journey codes were hacked and resold by non-authorized individuals. At Onne, we are deploying Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which cannot be duplicated. Only the assigned driver can gain access through electronically barricaded gates,” he explained.
Idike said extensive research has been conducted to ensure the reliability of the system, adding, “The mistakes made in Lagos won’t be repeated here.”
Also speaking, Mr. Ayo Durowaye, Chairman of Call-Up Technologies, revealed that the call-up initiative was originally piloted in Onne before being extended to Lagos. He stressed that the system is vital for national security and must be treated as such.
“Before the introduction of the call-up system, truck turnaround time was between 12 and 14 days. Now, we have reduced that to 48 hours, and in many cases, 24 hours,” Durowaye said. He also condemned the environmental impact of roadside parking, highlighting the unhygienic conditions created by drivers who defecate along port access roads.
Durowaye added that, “Onne is the future of Nigerian port development. Only 40% of the port area has been developed. We cannot afford to wait until it becomes chaotic like Apapa. We must act now.”
In his remarks, Samuel Ossai, Coordinating Secretary of Onne Container Truck Drivers, said truckers are fully prepared to embrace the system, while dismissing criticisms as coming from self-serving individuals. “The Nigerian Ports Authority has endorsed the project, and we are committed to making it work,” he said, noting that truckers’ associations have commenced sensitization programs ahead of implementation.
Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (Eastern Ports), Chief Godwin Ololuka, hailed the e-call-up system as one of the most important innovations to improve port efficiency. He lamented the current state of indiscriminate parking which, according to him, has disrupted local communities and endangered school children.
“The chaos around Onne is a danger to everyone. With this system and the supporting truck parks, we can bring order,” Ololuka said.
He disclosed that four truck parks have already been approved by the NPA to support the system, two of which are ready for operation. One of the parks has an expansion plan that will increase its capacity to accommodate 1,000 trucks.
However, Ololuka admitted that some internal resistance persists, particularly from groups benefitting from the existing disorder. “Those opposing the e-call-up system are often those who profit from extortion and illegal practices along the port routes. Naturally, they’re unhappy,” he stated.
Despite the opposition, Ololuka reiterated his commitment to continued stakeholder engagement, asserting that the system is key to sustaining the growth and functionality of the Onne port.
Meanwhile, officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority who spoke anonymously insisted that the e-call-up system is here to stay. “Any reform that enhances trade and port efficiency must be supported by all stakeholders,” one official said.
