200 Trucks Impounded At Lagos Ports for Lacking NPA’s Electronic Call-Up Slip

For flouting the newly introduced electronic call-up system by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) about 200 trucks have been arrested by the Lagos State Task Team controlling the gridlock in Apapa in the last 48hours.

Leader of the task team and Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka disclosed this on Thursday, even as he insisted that owners of the impounded 200 trucks will have to pay fine before those vehicles will be released.

Fayinka said the trucks were arrested for non-possession of electronic call-up slip and for indiscriminate parking on the road even after the government has ordered them to vacate the Apapa port corridors.

DAILY TREND NEWS had reported exclusively on Wednesday there was pandemonium at the Tin Can Island axis of the port when the security team made up of police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and NPA security officials started towing away articulated trucks around Coconut Bus stop.

The truck drivers had resisted, and insisted that they were not going to vacate the road and that they would proceed to the port to lift cargo not minding the electronic call-up system.

Police officers reportedly fired gunshots and teargas to disperse truck drivers after some hoodlums around Ajegunle joined to support the truckers. The situation degenerated so much that port users could access the port for several hours.

Fayinka however said: “Our enforcement strategy is gradual. We have been cleaning up the other side of the axis at Area B, Ijora into the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.

“We are moving in gradually to other areas for clean up which include Mile-2 end and environs. As we speak, in the last 48 hours, we have impounded about 200 trucks over for various offences, ranging from non-possession of electronic call-up slip and indiscriminate parking”

“The vehicles have been towed to Lagos State Traffic Management Authority,, LASTMA, Oshodi Yard and the owners will have to pay fine before those vehicles will be released”

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given us the go-ahead to enforce the rules of engagement in his determination to rid Apapa of gridlock, this we are determined to achieve” he said