The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have rejected the Lagos State Government’s N12,500 levy imposed on trucks using the E-Call Up system to access the Lekki Deep Seaport, warning that the policy could strain operators and disrupt supply chains.
In a joint statement released on Monday and signed by MWUN’s Head of Media, John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the unions criticized the implementation of the charge, which resumed officially on June 16, 2025, under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.
The controversial levy is part of the state’s E-Call Up system designed to regulate truck movement and reduce traffic congestion in the Lekki-Epe industrial corridor, home to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Dangote Refinery, and other major infrastructure.
“The N12,500 fee is being collected at the Lekki Deep Blue Seaport without proper stakeholder engagement,” Ikemefuna stated. “Transporters are already burdened by the high cost of petroleum products and the worsening economic situation. This charge is coming at the wrong time.”
The unions stressed that while they support structured regulation and port decongestion through the E-Call Up platform, the financial implication of the levy must be urgently reviewed to protect the livelihoods of truck operators and maintain supply chain efficiency.
Earlier consultations on the E-Call Up system led to the suspension of its enforcement in March 2025 following industry pushback. However, Lagos resumed implementation on June 16 after establishing seven designated truck parks with driver support amenities such as restrooms, kitchens, and electricity.
NARTO, which had previously submitted a formal protest to the state’s Ministry of Transportation, reiterated its opposition, calling the policy “hasty” and “insensitive to operational realities.”
In a related protest, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Southwest Zone, had instructed members to avoid the Lekki corridor entirely, citing the new levy. The union warned that the situation could trigger fuel distribution disruptions across Lagos and neighboring states.
The Lekki-Epe corridor, now a critical economic hub, has experienced growing congestion due to the influx of trucks servicing industrial facilities. The E-Call Up system, first introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 2021 for Apapa and Tin Can ports, was extended to Lekki in September 2024 but paused in March 2025.
Under the revised framework, truck operators are required to upload their Authority to Load (ATL) documents and reserve parking slots before entry, or risk denial of access.
Stakeholders are urging the Lagos State Government to reopen dialogue and arrive at a fair, consultative approach before enforcement continues, amid mounting concern over the potential for another logistics crisis.