Electronic Call-Up System Key to Solving Port Gridlock – AMTO

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMTO) has declared unflinching support for the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) electronic call-up system, describing it as a transformative solution to the decade-long congestion nightmare on the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access roads.

In an exclusive interview following a peaceful rally held in Apapa, the Secretary-General of AMTO, Mohamed Sani-Bala, commended the NPA’s Eto platform, hailing it as a landmark achievement that has restored order, transparency, and efficiency in Nigeria’s port logistics operations.

“The Eto call-up system is not just an app. It’s a game-changer that has dismantled the reign of extortion, restored sanity to our logistics corridors, and saved truckers from the harrowing experience of sleeping on roads for days,” said Sani-Bala.



The electronic call-up system, introduced by the NPA and managed by the Truck Transit Parks Limited (TTP), was designed to streamline truck access to ports by automating scheduling and reducing human interference. The platform enables truck operators to remotely book slots to access the ports, curbing the long-standing gridlock caused by manual coordination and corruption.

Sani-Bala noted that the system has revolutionised the port access regime, eradicating the previous exploitative system where truckers paid as much as ₦300,000 to gain entry — often without guarantees.

“Today, at a fixed cost of ₦21,500, trucks can access ports without any middlemen or bribes. This is a massive win for the entire industry,” he stressed.



He credited the Lagos State Government’s enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as pivotal to the platform’s success, noting that property values in Apapa are rising again, business operations are returning to normal, and truckers are no longer dying of exhaustion due to prolonged queues.

Despite its clear benefits, the Eto system has faced resistance from some industry players who have attempted to undermine its credibility. According to Sani-Bala, these critics are largely former beneficiaries of the discredited manual system who profited from the inefficiencies and chaos of the past.

“It is ironic that those who used to charge ₦250,000–₦300,000 per truck slot now call the ₦21,500 digital process a scam. They want to take us back to the dark days of extortion and impunity,” he said, warning truckers to remain vigilant.



Sani-Bala emphasised that the era of manual port access is over, and that any calls to return to the old order must be resisted by stakeholders.

“We say the manual system is dead and buried. The progress made through automation is irreversible.”




Also speaking on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Maritime Truck Drivers Association, Afeez Alabi, echoed AMTO’s stance, cautioning against any moves to dismantle the current system. He highlighted that while the system initially began with a ₦10,250 fee, black-market reselling of call-up slots between ₦120,000 and ₦130,000 has crept in — a sign of entrenched interests still trying to manipulate the system.

“The solution is not to abandon the system but to reinforce it. We need stronger oversight and enforcement to eliminate emerging black-market practices,” Alabi said.



He maintained that any attempt to revert to the chaotic manual processes would collapse operations around the port axis and undo years of progress in maritime logistics.



Since its deployment, the Eto platform has helped reduce congestion in Apapa and Tin Can Island, two of Nigeria’s busiest port corridors. Beyond logistics efficiency, stakeholders have noticed improved traffic flow, cleaner environments, and enhanced safety and working conditions for drivers.

Industry experts note that the system, while not perfect, is a step toward aligning Nigeria’s port operations with global best practices. They argue that digital solutions like Eto are crucial for Nigeria to become a competitive trade hub in West Africa.



The Nigerian Ports Authority’s electronic call-up system is earning increased endorsement across the maritime industry as a reliable solution to a longstanding infrastructural crisis. With support from stakeholders such as AMTO, TTP, and the Lagos State Government, the system is paving the way for a more transparent, efficient, and economically viable logistics ecosystem in Nigeria.

As the pushback from vested interests continues, industry players are rallying to ensure that the gains made through automation are protected — and that the dark days of gridlock, extortion, and inefficiency do not return.