Agents, Shippers Demand Overhaul of E-call up System Before Port Rollout
Licensed customs agents and members of the National Shippers Association of Nigeria have urged the Nigerian Ports Authority to reform its E-call up system—popularly known as the Eto ticket—before expanding it to ports in Warri, Calabar, and Onne.
Speaking at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, the stakeholders cited corruption, poor infrastructure, and inefficiencies as major issues plaguing the system at Lagos ports.
The joint resolution, signed by Innocent Akuvue, President of the National Shippers Association; Joshua Ahuama, Zonal Coordinator of the Eastern Association of Nigeria Customs Agents; and Emeka Nwosu, Vice Chairman of the Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents, warned that duplicating the system in the East without reforms would replicate the same failures.
Designed to manage truck movement and ease congestion at Lagos ports, the E-call up system has come under heavy criticism for enabling black-market pricing and long delays.
While the official Eto ticket costs N20,750, the group alleged that truckers pay up to N400,000 due to extortion at loading bays.
They stressed that without addressing these irregularities and completing critical infrastructure such as the East-West Road, expanding the system would worsen logistics inefficiencies.
Despite the flaws of the Lagos model, the stakeholders praised current operations at the Eastern Ports, which they said have shown efficiency, improved cargo handling, and faster turnaround times.
They called on the Federal Government to ensure that any automated port system is rooted in transparency, strong infrastructure, and streamlined logistics.
They also advocated for broader reforms to enhance the performance of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, which they said remains vital to national economic growth.
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