By Steve Agbota
As cargo traffic returns to Tin Can and Apapa ports, Trucks Transit Park (TTP) Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service and licensed agents have moved to tackle the black market and racketeers of the Eto call-up system.
Findings by TheSun.ng showed that there is rampant racketeering surrounding the Eto e-call-up system, causing persistent congestion and disorder along the Lagos port access roads.
TheSun.ng uncovered that while the official cost of an Eto ticket on the system is N20,750, freight agents are now paying up to N400,000 due to black market dealings with trucks lined up at the port access roads waiting for access, thereby causing traffic.
In a concerted effort to tackle persistent truck congestion around the port corridor and Eto call-up system, Trucks Transit Park Limited (TTP), in collaboration with the Apapa Customs Command and the Joint Association of Licensed Customs Agents (JALCA), launched a targeted training programme to sensitise key stakeholders on the workings of the e-call-up system.
The Coordinating Secretary of the Joint Association of Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders, Apapa, Dominic Chukwuemeka, decried the rampant racketeering surrounding the Eto e-call-up system, blaming it for the persistent congestion and disorder along the Apapa port access roads.
While Chukwuemeka acknowledged that the Eto system was designed to streamline cargo movement and eliminate chaos, he noted that fraudulent practices have undermined its effectiveness.
“Officially, Eto is N20,750, but due to racketeering, it now costs N250,000, N350,000, even N400,000 depending on demand. That’s the situation we find ourselves in,” he stated.
He revealed that many of the trucks causing gridlock have acquired fake or mismatched Eto tickets, often using different plate numbers to game the system.
“Some truckers remove their original plate numbers and attach fake ones that match the ticket just to get through the port gate. After loading, they switch back. That’s how bad it is,” he explained.
He added that the association is pushing for a new reform in the Eto booking system, where tickets are tied directly to the container number and bill of laden, rather than a truck’s license plate.
The Head of Operations, TTP, Irabor Akonoman, addressed the misinformation circulating among stakeholders regarding ticket prices for port access.
He said people have been misled into believing tickets are sold for N200,000 or even N500,000, clarifying that on the ETO system, no ticket exceeds N20,750, as every booking is accompanied by a verifiable receipt.
He said unfortunately, many of them are still unfamiliar with the e-call-up and booking processes, despite being directly affected by them, noting that this training is to close that gap.
He said the training is to empower customs agents with knowledge and practical skills related to the e-call-up system and booking procedures.
He explained that customs-licensed agents are essential gatekeepers in port logistics, as they facilitate truck movement into and out of the ports.
“When agents do the bookings themselves and issue tickets directly to transporters, they’ will know exactly where their trucks are and how long they have been there. It creates transparency and improves efficiency across the board.”
On his part, the Chairman of the National Association of Government approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Apapa Chapter, Eze Uchendu, decried the inefficiencies of terminal operators in facilitating the movement of cargoes, stating that possessing an Eto call-up ticket is no longer a guarantee for accessing the port.
Uchendu further accused terminal operators of deliberately slowing down operations to increase storage and demurrage charges, leading to huge financial losses for freight agents and their clients.
He estimated that APMT-induced delays often cost agents over N1.6 million, with charges running into trillions of naira cumulatively across the sector.
“You want to load a container, and it takes five days, yet you’re charged for those five days. To position a container for scanning takes another five days, with daily charges of over N40,000. This is daylight robbery. These are foreign firms siphoning funds out of Nigeria. It’s stealing, plain and simple. This is unacceptable,” he stated.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Apapa Port Chapter, Mr Chukumalu Emeka, expressed frustration with certain terminal operators, particularly uncoordinated truck drivers who have contributed to the chaos at port access roads.
The ANLCA chairman added that the current training aims to sanitise the port access system and eliminate the manipulation and racketeering that have plagued the logistics chain.
“With this training, we are setting the record straight. We are working with enforcement to ensure that traffic on the access road is eliminated. The goal is that if you have no business at the port, you stay off the road,” he noted.
He further explained the intended post-training procedure, noting that once a freight forwarder has obtained their Eto ticket, they should liaise directly with TTP to engage a truck.
He said once the truck is assigned and cleared with the necessary documents like the bill of laden, it should go straight into the port without any delay and obstruction.