By Uzor Odigbo
There are strong indications that the Electronic call-up system introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA is under threat, as hoodlums within Tin Can Island Port on Tuesday, destroyed some of the infrastructure known as” Barrier ”
The hoodlums, it was gathered also threatened to beat up the staff of Transit Truck Park (TTP) Limited over moves to pull down the barrier, as part of strategies to frustrate vehicular movement within the corridor.
The barrier is used to prevent unauthorized entry and exit in and out of the seaport. A code that matches the truck details is used to open the barrier and it opens to authenticated trucks.
According to a viral video made available to TheNiche, the destruction of infrastructure (Barrier) being managed by TTP, for the e-call-up system was orchestrated to frustrate the progress recorded on the vehicular movement of trucks along the port corridors.
The electronic truck call-up system, known as ètò was introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority in February 2021, to manage the movement of trucks around the port corridors in Apapa.
Speaking on Wednesday, Toni Anne Uwaifo, Communications, Manager, Trucks Transit Parks Limited described the acts of the hoodlums at Tin Can Island Port as sabotage to the nation’s economy.
According to her, the open sabotage of the call-up system is a sad development and a stark reminder of how rife corruption thrive in society.
She stressed that the need for NPA and TTP to further sensitise the public on why the electronic call-up system should be a viable solution for tackling the Apapa gridlock.
She said: “Prior to the deployment of this system, the Nigerian Ports Authority and Trucks Transit Parks Limited, technology company and owners of the ètò solution had carried out sensitisation campaign since October 2020 on how the system works, how it will create more opportunities for truck transporters and ultimately improve Nigeria’s economy.
“Yet, touts and some malicious actors continue to try to sabotage the ètò system.
“In a video obtained by us, a Caterpillar truck driver on Tuesday, 12th October, deliberately rammed into the access barrier at the Abuja exit gate of Tin Can Island Port.
“The driver claimed his brakes had failed. However, in the video after the accident, he is clearly seen driving the truck steadily and in control.
“Another interesting fact from the video is that this Caterpillar truck driver approached the barrier from the side of the barrier, not in front or from behind, he drove from the side, a rather awkward angle.
“Interestingly, the Caterpillar truck does not proceed towards the concrete fence just beyond the barrier, a fact that would be evident if it was indeed a case of the failed braking system.
“We gathered from TTP staff on the ground at the exit gates that several touts had been threatening to pull down the barrier just so they could carry out their illegal activities of entry and exit into the ports without ètò call-up. Thankfully, the Caterpillar truck driver has been apprehended and handed over to the police.
“The open sabotage of the call-up system is a sad development and a stark reminder of how rife corruption is in our society. We hope the NPA and TTP will continue to sensitise the public on why the electronic call-up system is a viable solution for tackling the Apapa gridlock,” she noted.
