The report reaching us has revealed what can be described as economic sabotage by unpatriotic citizens deliberately working against the policy of government made to promote growth and development.
For instance, the infrastructure put in place by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), for implementation of the Electronic Call-up system , to ease traffic gridlock on Apapa ports access roads are being destroyed by some individuals.
Our investigation revealed that the culprits behind this destruction are touts and some malicious actors, who do not want to call-up system to function appropriately to achieve the intended purpose.
In a video obtained l, a Caterpillar truck driver on Tuesday, 12 October, 2021, deliberately rammed into the access barrier at TinCan Island port exit gate, at the axis popularly known as Abuja junction. The driver claimed his brakes had failed. However, in the video after the accident, the same driver was seen clearly driving the truck steadily and in control.
Speaking, one of the officials with Trucks Transit Parks limited, (TTP), Toni Anne Uwaifo, expressed great displeasure on illegal activities of hoodlums destroying government infrastructure meant for port industry development.
Uwaifo pointed out :
“Another fact from the video is that the Caterpillar truck driver approached the area from the side of the barrier, not in front or from behind, he drove from the side, a rather awkward angle. Also, the truck driver didn’t not proceed towards the concrete fence just beyond the barrier, a fact that would be evident, if it was indeed a case of brake failure.
“Thankfully, the Caterpillar truck driver had been apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation.
“Recall that the electronic truck call-up system, known as ètò was introduced by NPA in February 2021, to manage movement of trucks around the ports corridors in Apapa.
Prior to the deployment of this system, NPA and Trucks Transit Parks Limited, technology company and owners of the ètò solution had carried out sensitisation campaign since October 2020, on how the system works, how it will create more opportunities for truck transporters and ultimately improve Nigeria’s economy”.
Also, we gathered from Trucks Transit Parks workers on ground at the exit gates that some touts had been threatening to pull down the barrier, in order to carry out their illegal activities of entry and exit into the ports without the E- call-up system.
This open sabotage of the call-up system is a sad development and a stark reminder of how rife corruption is in our society. We hope NPA and TTP will continue to sensitise the public on the importance of E- call-up system; and why it is a viable solution for tackling Apapa gridlock.
source: financialbusiness
