Petroleum tanker drivers staged a protest on Monday against the Lagos State Government’s imposition of a N12,500 parking charge via the Electronic Call-Up Systems Company.
They were joined by other categories of truck operators, including those transporting petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery and cargo from the Lekki Deep Seaport.
As a result of the protest, operations at the Lekki port were disrupted, leaving imported goods stranded and forcing importers to abandon their cargo.
Just a day before, truck drivers and petroleum marketers had announced plans to stop loading fuel in Lagos, citing the high cost of the E-Call Up system—especially on the Lekki-Epe Corridor—as unaffordable.
In defense of its policy, the Lagos State Government maintained its stance on implementing the electronic system, alleging that the unions themselves were extorting drivers by charging as much as N41,000 without delivering any service.
The protesting truckers, operating under the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), along with members of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers union, gathered along the Lekki-Epe axis to express their opposition to the N12,500 fee.
NARTO’s National President, Yusuf Othman, clarified that operations were on hold but not completely shut down.
He said, “We have not declared a strike action. We have only suspended loading operations at both Lekki Port and the Dangote Refinery because the N12,500 being charged per truck by the Lagos State Government is on the high side.”
“We support the electronic call-up system but the amount can be lowered. N12,500 per truck is too much.”
“While the suspension of operation is on, we are currently meeting with the Lagos State Government officials to arrive at a reasonable amount.”
As of the time of reporting, many truck and tanker drivers had abandoned their vehicles, refusing to resume loading operations.
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