Trucks Transit Park Nigeria Limited, a firm managing the electronic call-up system, has warned malicious actors to desist from the deliberate destruction of facilities meant to ease the protracted gridlock on Apapa port access roads.
The firm gave the warning on Wednesday in a statement by its spokesperson, Toni Uwaifo.
It noted that 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.
The statement said, “Prior to the deployment of this system, the NPA and Trucks Transit Parks, 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 elements continue to try to sabotage the ètò system. In a video obtained by us, a caterpillar truck driver on Tuesday, October 12, deliberately rammed into the access barrier at the Abuja exit gate of Tincan Island port.”
It added, “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.”
TTP said it gathered from its staff on the ground at the exit gates that several touts had been threatening to pull down the barrier so they could carry out their illegal activities of entry and exit into the ports without the call-up system.
It said the caterpillar truck driver had been apprehended and handed over to the Nigerian police.
The company added, “The open sabotage of the call-up system is a sad development and a stark reminder of how rife corruption is in our society.”
It added that the NPA and TTP would continue to sensitise the public on why the electronic call-up system was a viable solution for tackling the Apapa gridlock.
