Tanker drivers in Lagos State have announced plans to suspend the loading of petroleum products starting Monday, citing unresolved issues surrounding the ₦12,500 E-Call Up fee per truck operating along the Lekki-Epe Corridor.

 

The E-Call Up system, introduced by the Lagos State Government, is designed to manage and streamline the movement of articulated vehicles, including tankers, to prevent traffic congestion and environmental hazards, particularly in the Lekki axis—mirroring similar efforts made in Apapa.

 

Despite its intentions, the system has met resistance from stakeholders. The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has rejected the current fee, insisting it can only afford a maximum of ₦2,500 per truck.

 

Speaking on Sunday, NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, confirmed that the association is still in negotiations with the government but warned of a potential halt to operations.

 

“For now, we are still negotiating with the Lagos State Government. The ₦12,500 is too high. We recommended ₦2,500 from the beginning. Let’s see how it goes and if we can reach an amicable resolution. But if the government does not agree, our boys will not go and load tomorrow,” Othman stated.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Olawale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, clarified that the fee is not a government-imposed levy. He explained that the ₦12,500 charge is tied to the use of facilities provided by a private investor to support tanker operations, ensuring orderly parking, loading, and movement.

 

“The fee helps prevent the kind of gridlock and environmental degradation previously experienced in Apapa,” Musa said, while urging all stakeholders to comply with the E-Call Up system to maintain traffic order and public safety.

 

 

 

The impending suspension of fuel loading has sparked concerns about potential disruptions to fuel supply within Lagos and surrounding states if the standoff is not resolved swiftly.

 

As negotiations continue, all eyes are on both NARTO and the Lagos State Government to reach a compromise that ensures both operational feasibility for transporters and continued order on the state’s roads.