Operations at the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Refinery were abruptly halted on Monday, June 16, 2025, as petroleum tanker drivers and cargo truckers launched a coordinated protest against the imposition of a N12,500 per truck parking fee by the Lagos State Government through the Electronic Call-Up Systems Company.
The protest, which paralysed fuel distribution and cargo evacuation from two of Nigeria’s most strategic logistics hubs, was spearheaded by members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). Their grievance centered around what they described as an exploitative levy tied to the mandatory electronic call-up system designed to regulate traffic flow and parking within the Lekki-Epe corridor.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that hundreds of trucks were parked along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, while several disgruntled drivers abandoned their vehicles in protest. The demonstration left imported cargoes trapped at the Lekki port, with importers and clearing agents returning home empty-handed as uncertainty clouded the resumption of normal operations.
A source at the Lekki Free Trade Zone told our correspondent that the disruption may impact fuel supply and cargo movement nationwide if not swiftly addressed. “We have consignments worth millions locked in containers and tankers that can’t leave. The ripple effect will hit petrol stations, manufacturing firms, and logistics networks,” he said.
Addressing the press, Yusuf Othman, National President of NARTO, clarified that while no formal strike had been declared, a suspension of loading operations was in effect.
“We are not against the electronic call-up system. In fact, we endorse any measure that can bring order to truck movements and eliminate extortion. But the N12,500 charge per truck is excessive,” Othman said.
According to him, most transporters are struggling with rising operational costs, including diesel prices, maintenance, and tolls. “The amount should be reviewed downward. This is a temporary suspension, and we are currently in dialogue with Lagos State officials,” he added.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, defended the N12,500 levy as necessary for maintaining infrastructure and ensuring orderliness in the Lekki-Epe logistics corridor.
Officials further alleged that some transport unions had been illegally collecting up to N41,000 from drivers without providing any services, arguing that the state’s structured system was a cleaner and more transparent alternative.
“We are committed to resolving this issue, but we will not tolerate disruptions that undermine public safety or the state’s long-term infrastructural goals,” a senior government source said.
The development has triggered alarm among fuel marketers and cargo business owners who warn of looming disruptions in supply chains. A petroleum marketer who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “We already face tight margins. Any prolonged halt in tanker operations could spike petrol prices and lead to scarcity.”
Others worry that the dispute could undermine the emerging potential of the Lekki Port and Dangote Refinery as economic game-changers for Nigeria. “This is an early test for the government’s ability to manage stakeholder interests around the Lekki Industrial Axis,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, a logistics analyst with the Centre for Free Trade Studies.
As of Tuesday morning, emergency negotiations were reportedly ongoing between representatives of NARTO, PTD, the Lagos State Government, and officials from the Dangote Group. Stakeholders expressed hope that an amicable resolution would be reached before the week runs out.
In the interim, the economic cost of halted operations is mounting, with ripple effects likely to be felt nationwide if the impasse persists.
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