E-CALL UP FEES: TANKER DRIVERS PROTEST, HALT LOADING AT LEKKI PORT, DANGOTE REFINERY

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Petroleum tanker drivers have launched a protest against the ₦12,500 parking fee imposed by the Lagos State Government through the Electronic Call-Up Systems Company.

On Monday, the protest drew support from other truck operators, including those transporting petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery and cargo from the Lekki Deep Seaport.

As a result, cargo operations at the Lekki port were disrupted, leaving goods stranded and importers forced to abandon their shipments.

Just a day prior, truck drivers and fuel marketers in Lagos had threatened to halt the loading of petroleum products, citing their inability to bear the ₦12,500 per-truck fee for the E-Call Up system, particularly along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

In response, the Lagos State Government insisted it would proceed with the E-Call Up system implementation, accusing transport unions of previously collecting as much as ₦41,000 from drivers without providing any real service.

The protesting truckers, operating under the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and petroleum drivers under the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) unit, staged demonstrations across the Lekki-Epe transport corridor, opposing the enforcement of the fee.

NARTO National President, Yusuf Othman, confirmed that the truckers have temporarily suspended loading operations in protest against the charge.

Othman said, “We have not declared a strike action. We have only suspended loading operations at both Lekki Port and the Dangote Refinery because the N12,500 being charged per truck by the Lagos State Government is on the high side.

“We support the electronic call-up system but the amount can be lowered. N12,500 per truck is too much.

“While the suspension of operation is on, we are currently meeting with the Lagos State Government officials to arrive at a reasonable amount.”

At the time of filing this report, many of the truckers and petroleum tanker drivers have left their trucks, refusing to load.