Maritime transporters kick against e-call up system, say there’s no congestion in Onne Port

EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, Port Harcourt

Maritime Transporters under the aegis of Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) Eastern Zone, has rejected the newly introduced electronic call up truck  system at Onne and other ports in the Eastern Zone.

The transporters threatened legal action if the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA and other Maritime authorities refused to adhere to their call for its review.

The Association made the position known in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital on Wednesday during an emergency meeting attended by over 700 of its members.

They insisted that the electronic call Up system failed at Lagos ports, Apapa and Tin Can, and wondered why such should be implemented at the Eastern ports which are in dire need of good access roads,  dredging of water channels to accommodate more vessels, increase cargo throughput and vessel turnaround time.

The Association lamented that freight differential and high insurance at the Eastern ports have already dealt a heavy blow on the operators.

Our Correspondent reports that some of the truck owners and drivers were seen carrying placards with inscriptions  such as, “There is no congestion at Onne  ports; We don’t want E-call up system at Onne; “E- call up is to kill the Eastern ports; “E- call up didn’t work in Lagos,” among others.

The union noted that those   canvassing for the E-Call Up system are the ones who have put in place their “corrupt mechanisms” waiting to hijack the  E- call Up system as they  did in Lagos thereby causing unemployment and hardship for people who are already suffering.

They described the System as a “hydra-headed monster” that would at the long run stifle the Onne oil and gas business and also cripple the esteem  ports which they said was underutilized.

Speaking, the Haulage District Chairman of Maritime workers Union Eastern Zone, Comrade Adolphus Ugwu, dispelled claims that the Association of Maritime Truck owners  (AMATO) had endorsed the E-Call up system.

He said, “Such Association is  non-existent here in Onne, it only existed in the author’s imagination, not here at Onne Port or the entire Eastern ports.

“The so called  AMATO chieftain Adeshina Ajibola in that online publication claimed he came to Onne on invitation, that means he doesn’t operate nor reside here, we don’t even know him.”

Speaking further, Comrade Ugwu said the union was not against the policy of the federal government, but was pleading with the authorities concerned to hear their cries and suspend system for the time being.

“There is no congestion at Onne and the cost implication will be much as  some people will hijack the system for their selfish gains.

“Maritime works are law abiding citizens of this country, what we are saying is that they should not bring this system here that failed woefully in Lagos.” He emphasized.

On his  part, the District Secretary, Truck Owners Association, Maritime Workers Union, Dock Workers Branch,  Comrade Casmir Anukanti quoted a Latin maxim rendered “vox populi vox Dei.”  Interpreting it to mean, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

He said,  “What you are seeing today is an organic crowd not rented and they have voiced out their rejection of the E-Call system in the Eastern Ports and precisely Onne through our resolution.

“Feelers we got from Lagos showed it didn’t work. Onne is not a guinea pig for experimentation. So both the drivers and Truck owners said no to it.

“We are a law abiding association and always act within the ambit of the law. What we are saying is that NPA, the Ministry of Maritime and Blue Economy, as well as the Transportation Ministry should look into our cries and suspend the E – Truck Call up system for now.

“Onne Port and other eastern ports are under utilized. We are keenly watching and might take appropriate actions if the need arises.”

Some of the drivers who spoke to our correspondent, joined their voices to unanimously reject the E-Call Up  system which they said would aggravate their  suffering.

“We don’t want it, some of our drivers go to Lagos when dey  launch am   but wetin we find go there we no seem” they said in pidgin.

“Last week, stakeholders under the aegis of Coalition of Maritime stakeholders have voiced their rejection of the E – Call Up system saying such would cripple the Eastern ports especially affect businesses at the oil and gas free zone at Onne.

“Industry watchers are keenly watching and believing such might not disrupt operations at Onne and other ports at the Eastern Maritime corridors of the country if not properly handled by the authorities concerned.”