Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA has made good it promise to commence the implementation of its electronic call-up system code named ‘Eto’ for trucks that call at its two seaports; the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports, both in Apapa, Lagos. The new system, which is to be preceded by massive stakeholders’ education and enlightenment, takes effect February 27, 2021.

Recall that the Managing Director of the Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman had last year promised that NPA would begin effective implementation of its truck electronic call-up system in January, 2021 to curtail the influx of trucks and other articulated vehicles into the port area and environs, many of which do not have any genuine business in the area.

This is part of efforts to find a permanent solution to the problem of truck congestion around Apapa and its environs,

According to a statement released Friday by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate &Strategic Communications unit of the NPA, Ibrahim S. Nasir, all trucks doing business at the ports will be required to park at the approved truck parks until they are called up into the port through the Eto app.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Ports Authority is pleased to announce the commencement of Eto; the Electronic Truck call-up system designed for the management of truck movement and access to and from the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports, Apapa, Lagos.

 “The Eto application will be responsible for the scheduling, entry and exit of all trucks into the ports with effect from February 27, 2021. Therefore, all transporters, trucks owners and truck drivers will be required to download the Eto App from Google play store or sign up at http://eto.ttp.com.ng before the commencement date to enable them register accordingly.

“In addition to this, cargo owners should please note that empty containers can only be returned to the ports through the approved holding bays of shipping companies using the Eto Platform. It is the responsibility of the shipping company to move empty containers from their holding bay to the Port.  All cargo owners have to do is drop their empty containers at the holding bay of the shipping company.  The shipping company will then make the necessary bookings on the Eto platform to return empty containers to the port.

“The management of the NPA solicits the cooperation of transporters, truck drivers, cargo owners, clearing agents shipping companies and all port users in the implementation of the project, which will bring order and sanity to the ports access roads. Non-compliance to the use of Eto and its guidelines will result in denial of access into the Ports, impounding of trucks and withdrawal of registration/operating license”.