More than 200 workers of Truck Transit Parks (TTP) Limited may soon face job losses as uncertainty continues to trail the future of the Electronic Truck Call-Up System, Ètò, following the imminent expiration of its five-year concession agreement with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the concession, which commenced in February 2021 and is due to expire this month, is yet to be renewed, raising serious concerns; not only about the sustainability of the digital traffic management system at the Lagos ports, but also about the fate of hundreds of staff whose employment is tied directly to the project.
Multiple sources within TTP confirmed that the company currently has over 200 staff working across different spheres, namely; operations, enforcement, monitoring, technology, customer support and field coordination for the Ètò platform, and that many of these jobs could be at risk if the concession is allowed to lapse without renewal or a clear transition plan.
A senior staff member of the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told our correspondent that anxiety has gripped workers as the expiration date draws closer with no official word from government authorities.
“We have over 200 people working here, and most of us are worried. The concession has not been renewed, and nobody has told us what will happen next. If the agreement ends and nothing replaces it, it means a lot of people could lose their jobs overnight,” the source said.
Another official within the company confirmed that while discussions are ongoing at high levels, there is still no formal communication on whether the concession will be renewed, restructured, or terminated.
“The talks are on-going, but there is no certainty yet. Staff are following developments closely because their livelihoods depend on this system continuing in one form or another,” the official added.
Reacting to the impending expiration of the Ètò concession, stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry stated that the future of the system is critical not just for workers, but for the smooth operation of the ports.
In a chat with our correspondent, Bala Muhammed, General Secretary of Association of Maritime Trucks Owners (AMATO) said “We are hopeful that the TTP concession will be renewed. This is not just about over 200 staff whose jobs are at risk it is about ensuring order and efficiency in Nigeria’s ports. Without a structured system like Ètò, truck movements could descend into chaos, and the gains made in traffic management and trade facilitation could be lost. Renewal of the concession will safeguard jobs and maintain operational stability in the ports.” he said.
Also speaking, Adejumo Adebayo, a trucker, said: “The worry over job losses is understandable, but transitions like this are common. Even if the concession changes hands, many current workers can be redeployed or absorbed by the new operator.
“Most of the staff at TTP have experience from NPA or other agencies, so they are likely to remain in the system in some capacity. For the workers, this may be less about losing jobs and more about a shift in management.”
Speaking also Seyi Mordecai Adekanmbi, Chieftain of the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC), added: “The core issue should be maintaining the system, not fearing job losses. Another company can step in to operate Ètò if needed, and jobs can still be preserved. The concept of a coordinated truck call-up system is sound; what undermines it is human interference and regulatory gaps. If authorities act decisively, the system can function smoothly, benefit all stakeholders, and even create new employment opportunities.”
The Ètò system was introduced in 2021 as a digital solution to the chronic gridlock that had crippled Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors for years. Before its deployment, indiscriminate parking of trucks, manual call-up processes and the activities of touts had turned access roads to the ports into permanent traffic traps, causing delays that sometimes lasted several days and imposing huge costs on businesses and port users.
Under the electronic call-up arrangement, trucks are required to pre-book slots before approaching the ports, allowing for better traffic control, cargo tracking and coordinated access into terminals. The system is operated by TTP under a concession granted by the NPA in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
As reported last week, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) confirmed that the concession had not yet been renewed as of early February 2026. The General Manager, Corporate & Strategic Communications Division of the NPA, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, had told our correspondent that while the authority was aware of the impending expiration, no official declaration had been made regarding its continuation.
“As of now, the concession has not been renewed. We are aware that it is set to expire this month, and no official declaration has been made regarding its continuation. However, we are closely observing operations to ensure that the benefits the Ètò system has provided are not interrupted. Communication to stakeholders will follow once decisions are finalised,” Onyemekara had said.
However, fresh findings indicate that beyond the policy and operational implications, the human cost of any disruption to the system could be significant, with over 200 families potentially affected if TTP is forced to downsize or shut down operations linked to the concession.
A port industry analyst, who also spoke anonymously, said the situation underscores the need for clarity and transparency from the authorities.
“This is not just about a technology platform. There are people whose jobs depend on it, and there is also the bigger issue of how truck movement into the ports will be managed if the concession expires without a clear successor arrangement. Any policy vacuum could quickly throw the port corridors back into chaos,” he said.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the NPA nor the Lagos State Government had issued any formal statement on whether the concession would be renewed, restructured or handed over to another operator, leaving both workers and port users in a state of growing apprehension.
For the over 200 employees of TTP, the coming days may prove decisive, as the fate of the concession and their jobs hangs in the balance.
