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LAGOS, Nigeria - Tanker drivers in Lagos State have announced their intention to cease loading petroleum products on Monday, stating that the charge of N12,500 per truck for the E-Call Up system on the Lekki-Epe Corridor is unaffordable.
The Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, previously mentioned that the E-Call Up system aims to regulate the movement of tankers and articulated vehicles in the corridor, ensuring smooth traffic flow and avoiding the severe congestion seen in Apapa.
Nevertheless, the tanker drivers, represented by the National Association of Road Transport Owners, insisted that they can only afford to pay N2,500 per truck.
In a short interview on Sunday, NARTO President Yusuf Othman mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the Lagos State Government to seek approval for the reduced fee.
He stated, "Currently, we are still in discussions with the Lagos State Government. The N12,500 charge is excessively high. We proposed N2,500 from the outset.
We hope for an amicable resolution, but if the government does not comply, our drivers will not be able to load tomorrow."
Responding to this, Olawale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, clarified that the N12,500 fee does not go into government funds.
He explained that the money is allocated for maintaining the facility established in the Lekki area to prevent traffic jams and environmental issues.
He also emphasized that the facility was developed by a private investor and urged the union and drivers to adhere to the rules and regulations to keep the Lekki-Epe corridor from becoming like the old Apapa road.
