Fuel scarcity fears are mounting following a coordinated boycott by petroleum marketers and truck owners protesting the Lagos State Government’s enforcement of a controversial N12,500 electronic call-up (e-call-up) levy on trucks operating along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) staged a peaceful demonstration on Monday, withdrawing haulage and fuel trucks from the corridor in rejection of what they describe as an exploitative and burdensome policy.
The protest effectively halted tanker movement in the region, raising concerns about fuel distribution in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, as the Lekki axis plays a strategic role in supplying petroleum products, especially with the presence of the Dangote Refinery and related facilities. The protesters argue that the e-call-up levy, part of a public-private partnership initiative, is being enforced without adequate infrastructure or stakeholder consultation.
They maintain that the policy does not address any real traffic congestion, which the government cited as the reason for its implementation.
Dele Tajudeen, immediate past Chairman of IPMAN in the South-West, criticized the government’s refusal to compromise, noting that the corridor experiences no gridlock and accusing the policy of enriching private interests under the guise of public benefit. He also raised transparency concerns, stating that the levy funds are directed to private partners rather than the state government.
Truck owners warn that the increased costs will be passed on to consumers, exacerbating economic hardship amid rising operational expenses.
NARTO Chairman Gbenga Olubasusi highlighted the heavy financial burden on truck owners, citing soaring costs for tires and vehicles, and condemned the lack of basic facilities such as government trailer parks in the area.
Comrade Wale Oladeinde, Zonal Secretary of NARTO Southwest, clarified that the boycott is a strategic withdrawal of services rather than a strike, emphasizing their right to refuse operating under unfair conditions.
Lagos State NARTO Chairman Kayode Odunowo warned of the broader economic impact, stating that any disruption in truck movement would affect the national economy, as trucks are essential for transporting containers, fuel, and food.
IPMAN Vice Chairman Olaniyan Yekini questioned the rationale behind imposing levies without providing infrastructure, contrasting Lagos unfavorably with other states that offer trailer parks.
Despite their firm stance, both IPMAN and NARTO remain open to dialogue, urging the Lagos State Government to suspend the levy and engage stakeholders in meaningful consultations to develop practical and inclusive solutions that address transport challenges without penalizing operators.
As of now, tanker activities along the Lekki-Epe corridor remain suspended, with no official response from the state government.
