Truck operators seek reforms to Lekki call-up system

Stakeholders in the maritime industry, including the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee, have stated that the existing truck call-up arrangement along the Lekki–Epe axis requires further review to address emerging traffic challenges and ensure that the system adequately reflects the realities of operations along the corridor.

These stakeholders also called for greater efficiency in the evacuation of cargo from the ports, emphasising that delays within the port system have direct consequences for truck turnaround time and traffic congestion on access roads.

This formed the thrust of discussions recently at the transport stakeholder meeting chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Maroof Olawale Musa.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman of LASTCOC, Lukman Zangalo, announced that the meeting examined the persistent challenges affecting the movement of trucks and cargo in maritime corridors in Lagos, particularly the need to prevent avoidable traffic crises, accidents, and loss of life on the state’s roads.

Other stakeholders at the meeting included the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, the Lagos State Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners and members of his executive, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, and members of the LASTMA leadership, as well as the Chairman of LASTCOC, Lukman Zangalo, and members of the Committee’s leadership.

Speaking after the event, Zangalo called on truck owners, drivers, terminal operators, and other stakeholders in the maritime transportation sector to cooperate fully with the Lagos State Government in its renewed efforts to restore sanity, compliance, and safety across the state’s major port corridors.

He highlighted that the meeting called for further improvement of the Apapa truck call-up system, with particular emphasis on reducing unnecessary human intervention and strengthening systems that can make truck movement more predictable, transparent, and efficient.

“The existing truck call-up arrangement along the Lekki–Epe axis requires further review to address emerging traffic challenges and ensure that the system adequately reflects the realities of operations along the corridor,” Zangalo said.

According to him, the efficiency and operational practices of terminal operators were also identified as an important part of the solution, adding that the meeting noted that truckers often bear the immediate consequences of delays and congestion arising from wider systemic challenges within the port and cargo evacuation chain.

Zangalo pointed out that it was observed that while truckers suffer losses from prolonged waiting periods, congestion, and operational delays, “some corporate entities within the system may continue to receive demurrage payments arising from the same delays.”

Zangalo disclosed that stakeholders agreed that addressing the problems on the roads alone would not provide a lasting solution without examining the entire cargo evacuation chain.

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He added that the meeting further proposed an expanded engagement involving the various terminal operators and the Nigerian Ports Authority alongside other relevant stakeholders.

He said the purpose was to bring all sides of the industry to the same table, allow diverse opinions to be heard, and develop practical solutions that address the problems at their source rather than merely managing their consequences on the roads.

The LASTCOC Chairman mentioned that truck operators along the Lekki axis were particularly urged to organise themselves and ensure strict compliance with the established call-up and traffic management arrangements.

“The State Ministry of Transportation made it clear that truckers should not expect to resolve traffic violations or operational breaches through payments or informal interventions. The message from the state government was unequivocal: truckers’ money is not needed, and fines are not the objective. Compliance and sanity are,” he added.

Zangalo urged all truck owners, drivers, terminal operators, and other stakeholders to see the current measures as part of a collective effort to make Lagos roads safer, improve port efficiency, and protect lives and businesses.

He said that a properly coordinated system involving government agencies, port authorities, terminal operators, truckers, and other stakeholders remains essential to achieving sustainable improvement in Lagos maritime transportation.

Zangalo stressed that the meeting was informed that more personnel and equipment would be deployed to strengthen traffic management and improve the effectiveness of operations along the affected corridors.

It was also made clear at the meeting that the state government is not interested in making money from truckers through fines or other interventions. Rather, the emphasis is on compliance, orderliness, and the prevention of avoidable incidents that could result in loss of lives and property.

The meeting also noted that stakeholder intervention may not always be appropriate when the state government has already established a clear enforcement and compliance framework.

The objective is to ensure that truck operators comply with established procedures instead of relying on financial intervention whenever an offence or traffic obstruction occurs.