The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has taken down a syndicate involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit truck number plates, as revealed in a statement released on Sunday. The crackdown resulted in the confiscation of a total of 249 fraudulent vehicle plate numbers and 149 Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers.
In ongoing efforts to combat the enduring problem of traffic congestion, the NPA introduced an electronic call-up system named ‘Eto,’ managed by the Truck Transit Park Limited, to facilitate the organized movement of trucks to and from the port.
According to reports, this ‘Eto’ application was exploited by illicit individuals who significantly inflated call-up prices, leading to disruption and financial strain. Originally priced at N21,500 by TTP, the call-up fees experienced a drastic surge to approximately N150,000 per call-up.
In response to the manipulation of its electronic system, the NPA conducted a thorough spot check at the MPS Pregate, resulting in the discovery of 249 counterfeit vehicle plate numbers and 149 MSS stickers. Subsequent investigations at an undisclosed terminal revealed an additional 169 vehicle plate numbers and 133 MSS stickers not affixed to any trucks.
The NPA’s statement disclosed that the terminal manager at the location where the counterfeit items were found has been summoned for questioning, and the seized plate numbers and stickers have been secured.
The NPA emphasized that these findings confirm its assertion of a deliberate and well-coordinated attempt to undermine the electronic call-up system. The system, initiated by the NPA, aims to eliminate human involvement in managing port traffic, addressing the persistent issue of traffic gridlock that negatively impacts the national economy.
“The NPA is, however, determined to consolidate the e-call-up project and its other process automation initiatives to grow the maritime sector to its full potential,” the statement concluded.