Maritime media guru and the Publisher of MMS Plus newspaper, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, has called for a legal framework to back the operations of the Truck Transit Park (TTP) in eliminating traffic gridlock at Lagos ports.
Anaroke who was speaking at a recent Conference on Electronic Truck Call-up system organised by Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) also identified the need for more E-call up companies to break the monopoly.
Speaking at the event themed; “Repositioning ETO Call-up System for Optimal Performance,” the veteran journalist noted that it would be a misconception to assume that the TTP process had legal backing.
His words: “To back this proposition up with legislation, the electronic call –up system operates within the Apapa municipal jurisdiction as such all that is needed is to enact a Bye- Law or an Ordinance which is the responsibility of the elected Councillors to carry out to give it effect. Mobile courts are presided over by Magistrates.”
Meanwhile, he observed that there are also concerns that the platform has shifted from problem-solving to revenue generation with the handlers neglecting the real issues and placing premiums on the volume of vehicles they receive.
He asserted ETO has yielded the sum of N34.4billion in the two years of operation using the N21, 500 truck booking call- up fee charged by TTP as the basis of calculation.
Anaroke, however, advised the leadership of NPA to license two more electronic call–up companies for competition, while ensuring continuous review of the infrastructure and enforcement processes.
“For the prosecution of officers or culprits in electronic call –up racketeering, to deter others I strongly recommend the use of mobile court to adjudicate ETO cases with measures of penalties capable of discouraging fraud or cutting corners,” he posited.