Kayode Daniels, Head of Commercial at APM Terminals Apapa, has addressed misconceptions regarding cargo delays at Nigerian ports, attributing the issue to poor policy enforcement rather than the actions of terminal operators. In a statement made during a stakeholders’ meeting, Daniels emphasized that delays are often caused by enforcement practices and not by APM Terminals or Truck Transit Park Ltd (TTP), which manages the truck electronic call-up system known as “Eto.”
He highlighted that some truckers intentionally cause delays by parking on access roads or engaging in dual transactions, such as waiting for additional paperwork while dropping off export containers. Daniels stressed the importance of a transparent and efficient process to alleviate congestion and improve truck flow at the port.
The meeting aimed to educate stakeholders about the workings of the ‘Eto’ system, introduced in 2021 by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to regulate truck entry and reduce congestion at busy ports. Daniels urged customers to better understand the system to avoid unnecessary delays.
The session also included advice from Irabor Akonoman, Head of Operations at TTP, who urged truck operators to refrain from soliciting customers on access roads and recommended tracking truck movements through the TTP website. Akonoman further explained that trucks have a 72-hour window to reach the port once they exit the pre-gate.
The ‘Eto’ system was designed to streamline operations and reduce logistics costs for importers and exporters by regulating truck movements into Nigeria’s busiest ports.
