2 weeks Ago By Guardian Nigeria
The management of Trucks Transit Parks (TTP) Limited has urged truck operators to refrain from extortion along Lagos ports access roads to ease congestion and ensure smoother truck movement in and out of the facilities. TTP Limited, the managers of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) truck electronic call-up system, emphasised the importance of efficient and coordinated port operations, smooth truck flow and road safety to port efficiency. The Head of Operations at TTP, Irabor Akonoman, appealed yesterday during a stakeholders’ educative meeting involving importers, exporters and trucking companies, organised by APM Terminals Apapa on how the electronic call-up system regulates truck traffic in and out of the Lagos Port Complex.
Akonoman urged importers and exporters to utilise the TTP’s online tracking system to monitor their truck movements. “Each truck is assigned a unique journey code that allows our staff to trace its booking details. With the journey code and truck particulars, we can inform you of the exact departure date from our facility,” he stated.
Akonoman also reminded truck operators of the 72-hour time limit to reach the port after leaving the pre-gate area. He said trucks that fail to arrive within the timeframe risk losing their slots, noting that the operators are advised to investigate promptly. The Head of Commercial at APM Terminals Apapa, Kayode Daniels, emphasised the importance of customer understanding of the electronic call-up system to help alleviate congestion on critical port access roads.
Daniels explained that improving customers’ familiarity and understanding of the system’s operations would reduce complaints and smoother port access. “Our goal is to create a transparent and accessible process that works seamlessly for everyone involved in the port ecosystem. By engaging our customers and addressing their concerns, we can reduce delays, avoid frustrations and contribute to a more organised flow of trucks into the terminal,” he stated.
Daniels also clarified that delays in entering the ports were often attributed to terminal operators, but in reality, enforcement practices contribute significantly to the issue. He highlighted instances where truckers contribute to congestion by deliberately parking on access roads to complete dual transactions, such as awaiting additional paperwork to pick up an import container after delivering an export container..
