NIGERIA: Lagos Mandates Truck E-Call-Up on Lekki-Epe Route

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Lagos State Government has announced that enforcement of an electronic call-up (e-call-up) system for trucks operating within the Lekki-Epe corridor will begin on Monday, June 16, as part of urgent efforts to decongest the increasingly gridlocked axis.

The move, according to the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, follows a surge in traffic from articulated trucks serving the area’s rapidly expanding industrial base.

The new regulation mandates that all truck operators register online and upload valid Authority to Load (ATL) documents before gaining access to designated parks and receiving an electronic call-up notification.

In a statement issued by Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation, Osiyemi warned that the absence of control measures could worsen the current situation, which is already strained by over 400 trucks plying the corridor daily.

He said: “The Lekki-Epe corridor is home to high-volume infrastructure like the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and other oil and gas assets. With only one major exit route, industrial activities are pushing the limits of traffic capacity.”

He added that when the Dangote Refinery becomes fully operational, daily truck traffic could surge to 3,000–4,000, heightening the risk of gridlock and road damage if left unchecked.

The e-call-up system is designed to regulate truck movements through scheduled dispatch, reduce road-side parking, and safeguard infrastructure from the damage caused by uncontrolled heavy-duty vehicle operations.

Osiyemi stated, describing the initiative as a “bold step towards smarter traffic and logistics management” in one of Lagos’ most commercially vibrant corridors.

He noted: “Only validated and cleared trucks will be allowed into designated holding bays, awaiting their turn to proceed.”

The government urged voluntary compliance from truck operators, logistics companies, and stakeholders to ensure the system’s success and long-term sustainability.

The Commissioner further emphasized that structured truck movements will not only ease traffic flow but also promote safety and economic productivity.

Residents and road users around the Lekki-Epe corridor have long lamented the impact of unregulated truck traffic on daily commute times, road safety, and infrastructure wear.

The implementation of the e-call-up system is expected to bring significant relief, if rigorously enforced.