Maritime Transporters Reject E-Call up system at Eastern Ports

Maritime transporters under the auspices of Maritime workers union (MWUN) Eastern Zone has rejected the E- call Up truck system at Onne and other ports in the Eastern Zone, vowing action if the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA and other Maritime authorities refused to adhere to their call for its review.

The Association rising from an emergency meeting Wednesday in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital where over 700 of their members were in attendance insisted that the E- call Up system failed at Lagos ports of Apapa and Tin Can, wondering why such should be experimented in the Eastern ports, which are strongly yearning for Port infrastructural development such as good Port access road and dredging of water channels to accommodate more vessels and increase cargo throughput and vessel turnaround time. 

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

Our Correspondent reports that some of the truck owners and drivers alike 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 insisted 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 "hydra-headed monster" that would in the long run stifle the Onne oil and gas business and also cripple the esteem ports which they said was underutilized. 

Reminded the one group who goes by the name Association of Maritime Truck owners (AMATO) was alleged to have endorsed E-Call up system and expressed their willingness to adopt the system, the Haulage District Chairman Maritime workers union Eastern Zone Comrade Adolphus Ugwu said, "such Association is nonexistent here at Onne or only existed on the author's imagination not here at Onne Port or the entire Eastern ports.

His words, “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" 

The other person who said he is Samuel Ossai, the Coordinating Secretary of Trucker Owners is not our member."

People, who know him, said he drives Keke at Onitsha, you can see how desperate some people can be. They went and rented those people to cause confusion at Onne. 

"But, having critically examined E-Call up system, my people at Onne and eastern ports have unanimously said No to E-Call up system. No congestion here at Onne, and Onne Port is not ripe for E-Call system."

Speaking further, Comrade Ugwu said we're not against the policy of the federal government and will never be but we are pleading with the authorities concerned to hear our cries and suspend it for now. 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. 

Contributing, District Secretary Truck owners Association, Maritime workers union, Dock workers branch, Comrade Casmir Anukanti quoted a Latin maxim which says"vox populi vox Dei." "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 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 not to it. "

"We are law abiding association and always act within the ambits 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 underutilized. 

"We are keenly watching and might take appropriate actions if the need arises” Anukanti assured.

Some of the drivers, who spoke to our correspondent, were unanimous in rejecting 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 see am" 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.

Bon Peters, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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