MWUN, NARTO, PTD others reject e-call up levy, loading suspended on Lekki Port-bound trucks

The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have opposed the Lagos State Government’s introduction of a N12,500 levy on trucks accessing the Lekki Deep Seaport under the E-Call Up system.

Their concerns were outlined in a statement by MWUN’s Head of Media, Mr. John Kennedy Ikemefuna, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the levy is being enforced by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation as part of efforts to regulate truck movement through an electronic call-up system at the port.

The implementation of the E-Call Up system—and the associated N12,500 charge—officially resumed on June 16, 2025, after an initial rollout in September 2024 was suspended in March 2025 following resistance from stakeholders.

“The National Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have frowned over the implemented E-Call Up system levy of N12,500 per truck. 

“The Head of Media, MWUN, Mr John Kennedy Ikemefuna, said in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

“Ikemefuna said the N12,500 levy was collected at the Lekki Deep Blue Seaport by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation,” the NAN report read in part.  

Ikemefuna stated that NARTO had previously written to the Ministry to oppose the levy, citing the rising cost of petroleum products and the broader economic hardship facing operators.

He described the decision to impose the charge without prior stakeholder consultation as poorly timed and warned that it could further strain the finances of transporters.

The unions emphasized that while they support structured regulation and traffic control via the E-Call Up system, the financial impact of the N12,500 levy demands urgent review.

They urged the Lagos State Government to initiate meaningful engagement with transport stakeholders to arrive at a fair and practical solution.

In a related development, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), South West Zone, had earlier instructed its members to boycott the Lekki corridor in protest against the same charge, warning that it could disrupt fuel logistics and supply across the region.

Under the revised system, operators must upload their Authority to Load (ATL) documents and book parking slots before gaining access. To support this, Lagos approved seven truck parks along the corridor, equipped with restrooms, kitchens, and electricity to improve driver welfare.

The Lagos State Government has refused to back down on the N12,500 electronic call-up fee for trucks on the Lekki-Epe corridor, despite protests from truckers.

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) have suspended loading operations at Lekki Port and the Dangote Refinery over the fee.

“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,” said Yusuf Lawal Othman, National President of NARTO.

“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,” Othman added.

However, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation Spokesperson, Mrs. Bolanle Ogunlola, insisted that there is no going back on the electronic call-up system enforcement.

“The reality is that road users have started experiencing eight to 10 hours on Lekki-Epe Corridor. The electronic Call-Up System will regulate and normalise the traffic challenges. We urged the various transport unions; NARTO and IPMA to wilfully comply. It is in the interest of all and sundry.”

When reminded that the transport unions kicked against the N12,500 levy, Ogunlola explained that the fee was reduced to that amount from N30,000 per truck.

“Deliberations on the electronic call-up system didn’t start today. It has been ongoing for the past two years. Initially, the fee to be charged was N30,000 per truck, but after negotiations with the various truckers’ unions, it was reduced to N12,500.”

“There is no going back on that amount because it was jointly agreed between the State Government and the various transport unions. That price has come to stay,” Ogunlola stated.

As a result of the suspension, many cargoes are currently trapped at the $19.5bn Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery and the $1.5bn Lekki Deep seaport. Many truckers and petroleum tanker drivers have left their trucks on the road, refusing to go for loading operations.

The Lekki-Epe corridor, home to key infrastructure like the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Dangote Refinery, and major industrial estates, has seen a surge in truck traffic and worsening congestion.

Although enforcement is just beginning in this axis, the E-Call-up system was first launched by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 2021 for Apapa and Tin Can ports.