For years, the axis surrounding the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) and Tin-Can Island was synonymous with intractable gridlock, economic waste, and human chaos. However, new data suggests a significant shift in operational efficiency following the integration of technology into port logistics.
Trucks Transit Parks (TTP) Limited, the operator of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) electronic call-up system known as ‘Eto,’ has revealed that over N4 billion has been invested to stabilise the platform since its inception. This digital intervention has facilitated the regulated movement of approximately 3.38 million trucks over the last 57 months.
The figures were disclosed by Jama Onwubuariri, Managing Director of TTP, during a roundtable discussion in Lagos themed ‘From Gridlock to Growth: Re-Imagining Port Logistics in Nigeria.’
The Cost of Orderliness
The transition from a chaotic, manual system to a streamlined digital process required substantial upfront capital. Onwubuariri explained that before the ‘Eto’ system went live in February 2021, the infrastructure needed to support it—specifically at the Lillypond Terminal—required heavy investment.
“We spent about N4 billion at the beginning in Lillypond Terminal,” Onwubuariri noted. “That was in the course of 20 months to implement the electronic call-up system... That was the original investment.”
He further clarified that additional investments have been made to bolster the system's integrity, bringing the total estimated expenditure to roughly N4.2 billion. This includes a N200 million investment in an ‘e-Tag’ solution designed to be deployed at no cost to the truckers.
Combating Identity Fraud and System Gaming
Despite the successes recorded in scheduling truck movements and reducing human interference, the system faces persistent attempts at manipulation. Onwubuariri highlighted a major challenge: the duplication of license plates and Terminal Delivery Orders (TDO).
Due to the fragmented nature of vehicle registration in Nigeria, rogue operators have found ways to game the system. “Some drivers seem to have this ability to use another person’s number plate, duplicate their own, or even produce a number plate that does not exist to register their trucks,” he explained.
To counter this, TTP has developed a permanent solution known as the Electronic Tagging System (e-Tag).
- How it works: The e-Tag gives every truck a tamper-proof digital identity. Once installed, a truck cannot alter its identity to bypass the queue or use fake credentials.
- The Regulatory Hurdle: While the solution has been ready since 2023, Onwubuariri noted that TTP is still awaiting regulatory approval to deploy the tags.
Furthermore, to address TDO duplication—where multiple trucks attempt to claim the same cargo job—TTP has introduced the E-Call-Up Interchange Transaction Number (EITN). This ensures that when a terminal operator summons a truck, the system locks that transaction to a specific vehicle, preventing "stalling" and queue clogging by opportunistic drivers.
Stakeholder Reactions: A Call for Sustainability
The event featured strong backing from key industry players who argued that returning to the pre-2021 era is not an option.
Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, emphasized that the state is at a "crucial juncture." He noted that while challenges like congestion and lack of integration persist, the partnership between the state, the NPA, and tech partners is the only path toward turning the ports into thriving commercial hubs.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement came from the trucking community itself. Chief Remi Ogungbemi, Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), dismissed calls for the cancellation of the ‘Eto’ contract.
“The electronic call-up has revolutionised port access since 2021,” Ogungbemi stated. “There is room for improvement, but definitely not a cancellation. Only people benefiting from the chaos and confusion that plagued the access roads before 2021 will call for its cancellation.”
The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) echoed this sentiment, with Vice Chairman Jean Anishere (SAN) urging for the sustainability of the project to ensure Nigerian ports remain competitive in the West African sub-region.