Determined to ensure the success of the recently launched electronic truck call up system ,the Nigerian Ports Authority has expressed concerns about the news making the rounds that some criminals have sabotaged the electronic truck call up system thereby risking a return of traffic gridlock to Apapa access roads.
Few weeks after its launched, the system had recorded a roaring success as traffic practically disappeared for the first time from the Apapa metropolis.
Our correspondent learnt that the authority is concerned that after all the money and efforts invested in the truck electronic call up system as a vehicle to bringing solution to the perpetual gridlock in Apapa. it is disturbing to learn that people could try to subvert such a laudable effort.
While dismissing rumours that the system may have been hacked, the Managing Director, NPA Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman said the Authority was daily strengthening the platform to prevent criminals from gaining access to it.
Bala-Usman, who spoke on a radio programme on Monday said the system has not been hacked.
She stated, “But the aspect of people trying to sell fake call up tags is what people always try to do, but we have strengthened our mechanism to ensure that is not applicable.
We have noted all manners of trying to circumvent the e-call up system and we are resolved to concentrate on it.
Highlighting the benefits of the electronic truck call up app, the NPA MD said, “The ETO electronic platform seeks to provide an e-solution to the Apapa traffic congestion. It’s a platform where you log in as a transporter.
“ It provides an avenue whereby all trucks are scheduled and given the necessary approval to go into the port, based on batches. This enables clarity on who goes into the port whether there is availability of space for them or not. It is just a sequence to ensure sanity within the port corridors.
“ ETO also approved designated truck parks where the trucks should go, park and wait to be called upon before they can approach the port corridors.”
She noted that within the same framework, the Authority had also put in place, pre-gate which is the last stop before the truck gets into the port area.
Explaining further she said, “These are all done to remove human intervention and layers of bureaucratic bottleneck.
“Several task forces have been put in place and they are finding it challenging to provide sanity that we all require within the port corridor.
“ For us, one of the key aspects of Eto Platform is the deployment and compliant of usage of approved truck parks.
“One of those things that I always reference is that the trucks should remain in the truck park, even if the port is not ready for them. They should not come on the road and make our highways the parking places.”
According to her, the Eto platform is linked to the respective terminal operators who will convey the readiness of vessels to deliver and pick up cargoes and empty containers that are coming.
