The Co-founder and Managing Director of Trucks Transit Parks Ltd, Jama Onwubuariri, a professional with about 30 years experience covering various sectors of maritime logistics, speaks on the challenges with the parks and the way forward, in this interview with ANOZIE EGOLE
How have operations been in the last few years considering the harsh economic situation of the country?
Despite an environment marked by high inflation, subsidy removals, and challenging infrastructural constraints, our operations have not only withstood these pressures; they have thrived. Over the past few years, we have leveraged our Ètò electronic call-up system to transform port logistics. For instance, by digitising processes that were once manual and error-prone, we have reduced truck turnaround times dramatically from delays stretching into weeks down to a matter of days. Our commitment to technological excellence drives this resilience, strategic collaborations with regulatory agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority and, more recently, the Nigerian Customs Service and the Central Bank of Nigeria, and a relentless focus on operational efficiency. One significant thing to note is that we have made several improvements and updates while maintaining the pricing that we have had since we started operations in 2021. A look at our industry and the business landscape in general in Nigeria will reveal that we are probably the only business that has not increased its cost of services in light of the current economic realities. Our ability to adapt and innovate under pressure is what sets us apart as industry leaders.
How many trucks has TTP handled so far?
Since the launch of our platform, we have successfully facilitated the movement of about 2.6 million port-bound and non-port truck movements. This figure is not just a number; it represents a significant milestone in streamlining Nigeria’s port operations and ensuring a reliable flow of cargo through our digital system. The widespread adoption of Ètò by stakeholders across the supply chain underlines the trust and effectiveness of our solution in a challenging logistics environment.
What have been the challenges?
The challenges in our industry have been multifaceted. Decades of under-investment in port and road infrastructure have historically hampered efficient logistics and continue to hamper it today. The prevalence of counterfeit minimum safety stickers and license number plates posed serious risks to the integrity of the system. The removal of fuel subsidies has led to a substantial increase in overheads. Operational costs have quadrupled, forcing us to innovate faster and more efficiently. Some stakeholders, accustomed to inefficient legacy systems, have at times resisted the necessary transition toward digital processes and even tried to lead campaigns calling for the abolishment of the call-up system. The processes required getting approval for tech innovations and improvements that will reduce human interference, improve the technology, and boost the overall system are often very slow and time-consuming. Despite these challenges, we have continued to invest in robust digital solutions, fortify our partnerships with regulatory bodies, and continuously refine our operational protocols, ensuring that our customers continue to get the best services.
Has the issue of truckers coming up with fake stickers to access the ports been addressed?
We have taken significant steps to address the issue of truckers using fake stickers to access the ports. A new compliance directive was issued in collaboration with the NPA, which came into effect in December 2024. Under this directive, all trucks entering the ports must present the original Minimum Safety Standards sticker, as photocopies are no longer accepted. To support this directive, backlogged MSS stickers were made available for pickup, and stakeholders were encouraged to ensure their truckers obtained the original stickers promptly. Strict enforcement measures are now in place, and non-compliant trucks face sanctions from the NPA. This initiative is a critical step in ensuring operational efficiency and security at the ports. We are committed to working closely with stakeholders to maintain an orderly and efficient port system. These measures, reinforced by our close collaboration with the NPA, have significantly minimised fraudulent access attempts and bolstered the integrity of port operations.
Recently, the NPA banned trucks without stickers access into the ports. What is your take on that?
We fully support this directive from the NPA. Enforcing strict compliance with sticker requirements is crucial not only for reducing fraudulent practices but also for ensuring safety and operational efficiency. Such measures enhance transparency across the entire logistics chain and create a level playing field for all stakeholders. Our system’s enhanced verification protocols align seamlessly with this policy, ensuring that only compliant trucks gain entry, which is an essential step in transforming a historically opaque process into one of accountability and efficiency.
In October, TTP suspended the release of trucks from the Lilypond pre-gate into the ports. What necessitated the decision?
That suspension was a decisive, proactive measure, authorised by the NPA. We identified delays, congestion, and anomalies in the truck release process irregularities that could have compromised both system security and operational flow. By temporarily halting releases, we were able to conduct an in-depth audit and recalibrate the release protocol to decrease congestion and close any gaps. This pause allowed us to work closely with both port authorities and our technical teams to refine our verification and release protocols. In doing so, we ensured that the roads were free of congestion, port processes were smoother and every truck cleared met stringent compliance standards, thereby protecting the integrity of the overall logistics process.
Has the issue been addressed?
Yes, the issue has been comprehensively addressed. The halt was only temporary and it was designed to facilitate the swift decongestion of parks and pre-gates. The validity of tickets at that time was also extended for seven days to cushion the effect of the temporary halt.
Since then, we have implemented a series of upgrades that have bolstered our system. We continue to conduct real-time monitoring and periodic audits to maintain and even enhance system security and efficiency.
How will you describe the year 2024 in the maritime logistics sector in terms of challenges?
2024 was a year of transformation for maritime logistics in Nigeria. It was marked by a robust digital shift with solutions like Ètò revolutionising truck management at the ports, yet it was not without its challenges. Infrastructural bottlenecks, regulatory adjustments, the economic fallout from subsidy removal, the depreciation of the naira, and the consequent inflation all resulted in the decline of containerised and non-containerised imports and a slowdown in maritime and logistics activities in Nigeria. While these challenges slowed progress, we accelerated our innovation, encouraging stakeholders to embrace digitalisation and collaborative problem-solving. The sector emerged leaner, more transparent, and poised for further advancements in efficiency and service delivery.
What are your expectations for the maritime industry in 2025?
I envision 2025 as a landmark year for the maritime logistics sector, a year where the full benefits of digital transformation begin to materialise. We expect even greater integration of technology across port operations, further reducing turnaround times and enhancing security. With continued collaboration among the NPA, federal and state governments, regulatory bodies, and other key partners, I foresee a more streamlined, transparent, and cost-effective logistics system. This convergence of technology and regulatory oversight will not only improve operational efficiency but also bolster Nigeria’s competitiveness on a global scale.
That said, I am looking to see faster approvals of innovative solutions and improved technology to boost the current procedures. Take, for instance, our proposal for Radio Frequency Identification/Etags and EITN; it’s been nearly two years since we proposed these solutions to improve port access and reduce human interference. Till this time, no approvals have been granted. We initially proposed to deploy these ETags at no cost to the regulators and the trucking community, yet no approvals. The sad reality is that now the cost of the materials to implement this has increased astronomically and our financial capability to solely fund this has drastically reduced. This would have been avoided if we got deployment approvals and not just word-of-mouth confirmations that the initiative would be a game changer for the ecosystem.
What is the current status of the CBN directive on Nigeria Export Proceeds?
We are pleased to announce the successful integration of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Nigeria Export Proceeds system with the Ètò electronic call-up platform. This strategic integration became effective on January 3, 2025, representing a significant collaboration between TTP, the NPA, the CBN, and other key stakeholders, aimed at modernising and streamlining Nigeria’s export operations, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and overall operational excellence at the nation’s ports. Under the new regulation, exporters are now mandated to secure an approved NXP application number before booking export consignments. This requirement, endorsed by the NPA and aligned with government directives, ensures that only consignments with verified, final-stage approval proceed to export processing.
Our team’s relentless pursuit of technological excellence has culminated in a solution that not only streamlines the export process but also reinforces the collective efforts of industry regulators and stakeholders, notably the NPA. We are honoured to collaborate closely with the NPA, the CBN, and other partners in ensuring that this integration sets a new benchmark for operational excellence in Nigeria’s export sector. This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when cutting-edge technology meets proactive regulatory oversight.
How many trucks used your platform to access the nation’s seaports in 2024?
Throughout 2024, our Eto platform facilitated the access of about 584,247 trucks to the nation’s seaports. This impressive volume demonstrates the scalability and robustness of our digital system in managing one of the country’s most critical logistics corridors. It also underscores our commitment to reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of cargo movement across Nigeria’s port networks.
Drivers often accuse officials of TTP of extortion, and how did you address the falsification of the call-up tickets?
We understand that allegations of extortion and fraudulent call-up card manipulation can undermine trust in the system. However, we would like to clarify that call-up tickets cannot be falsified. Tickets are system-generated, and therefore a ticket number that is not system-generated will be invalid. However, we have seen cases of stolen tickets, and we have implemented measures to address it and made these measures public. As regards allegations of extortion by TTP officials, we have investigated this over time, and there is no evidence that our staff members are involved in extortion. We even implanted a system where all our field staff members have reflective jackets with unique numbers that can be captured and reported for investigation, yet not one number has been captured or reported. This is not to deny that extortion is non-existent; it does exist, but it is not being committed by TTP officials or staff. It should also be noted that we included a feature on the call-up system where victims of extortion can report extortion, adding details like where it took place and what was collected, and images and videos can also be included. This is again to curb the practice. Extortion is a bane to the movement of trucks within Apapa and Tincan, and thankfully, we have seen a drastic reduction; people can now move into the ports without having to pay a dime, and locations where people are inconvenienced and are required to part with money are no longer standard practice or sine qua non to access the ports or other controlled locations because all you need to access the ports is to make a booking on Ètò and not the settling of someone.
As an innovative tech company, we continue to implement a multi-layered security framework that includes real-time digital verification, encrypted data transmission, and rigorous monitoring of all call-up transactions. We have also established close working relationships with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute any instances of malfeasance. Our proactive measures ensure that our platform remains transparent and that every transaction is subject to strict scrutiny, thereby maintaining fairness for all stakeholders.