Despite the modest achievements recorded by the electronic call-up system (ETO) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), concerned stakeholders have faulted the failure of the agency to provide legal backing for the Truck Transit Park (TTP), the company hired by the NPA to drive the project.
The Publisher of MMS Plus newspaper, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, made this observation while presenting a paper at the conference on the Electronic Truck Call-up system organized by Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday.
Speaking at the event: themed “Repositioning ETO Call-up System for Optimal Performance,” the veteran journalist noted that it would be a misconception to assume that the process had legal backing.
His words: “To back this proposition up with legislation, the electronic call –up system operates within the Apapa municipal jurisdiction, as such all that is needed is to enact a Bye- Law or an Ordinance which is the responsibility of the elected Councilors to carry out to give it effect. Mobile courts are presided over by Magistrates.”
Meanwhile, he observed that there are also concerns that the platform has shifted from problem-solving to revenue generation with the handlers neglecting the real issues and placing premiums on the volume of vehicles they receive.
He asserted ETO has yielded the sum of N34.4 billion in the two years of operation using the N21,500 truck booking call-up fee charged by TTP as the basis of calculation.
Anaroke, however, advised the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to license two more electronic call–up companies for competition, while ensuring continuous review of the infrastructure and enforcement processes.
“For the prosecution of officers or culprits in electronic calls –up racketeering to deter others. I strongly recommend the use of mobile court to adjudicate ETO cases with measures of penalties capable of discouraging fraud or cutting corners,” he posited.
