The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Sunday, busted a syndicate sabotaging the E-call up system, also known as ‘Eto’ with 413 fake number plates.
The E-call up system was introduced by NPA in February 2021 for trucks at the Lagos Ports, to end the gridlock witnessed on the port roads. The e-call up system was launched alongside an app called Eto, which truckers are expected to use to book turns to enter the Ports.
In a press statement , the Authority said it intercepted a syndicate at the MPS pre-gate in Apapa, where fake e-call up system tickets were generated, thereby sabotaging the ‘Eto call-up’ system.
The statement also disclosed 249 fake vehicle number plates and 282 units of fake Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers were also intercepted from the syndicate.
“In a move geared towards frontally tackling the activities of unpatriotic elements sabotaging NPA’s electronic truck traffic management (e-Call Up) system also known as Eto, the Authority’s officials and security agents undertook a spot check of the MPS Pregate where a mind- boggling discovery of 249 fake vehicle plate numbers and 149 units of Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers were discovered.
“Further checks of the terminal led to a discovery of another 164 pieces of vehicle number plates and 133 pieces of MSS Stickers that are not fixed on any truck in readiness to be deployed for proxy booking.
“The fake number plates and MSS tickets were immediately confiscated and the terminal manager invited for questioning,” the NPA statement read.
The Authority further disclosed in the statement that the development validated the Authority’s position on the existence of a third force undermining the electronic call-up system.
“This development validates the Authority’s position on the existence of a deliberate and well orchestrated effort to undermine the electronic Call Up system which was initiated by the NPA to eliminate human interface in managing traffic in and out of the Ports as a measure of sustainably taming the menace of traffic gridlock hurting the national economy.
“The Nigerian Ports Authority is however resolute in consolidating the e-call up project and its other process automation initiatives in order to grow the maritime sector to its full potential,” it added.
