Petroleum tanker drivers have taken to the streets to protest the N12,500 parking fee imposed on them by the Lagos state government through the Electronic Call-up Systems Company.

The drivers on Monday were joined by other truckers to include lifters of petroleum products from the Dangote refinery, as well as transporters of cargoes from the Lekki Deep Seaport.

Following the protest, cargoes were trapped at the Lekki port as owners of imported goods returned home, submitting to fate.

Barely 24 hours earlier, truck drivers and fuel marketers in Lagos State said they would stop loading petroleum products from today, saying they could not afford to pay N12,500 per truck for the E-Call Up system, especially on the Lekki-Epe Corridor.

In response, the Lagos State Government said there was no going back in the implementation of the E-Call Up system on Monday, accusing the unions of collecting up to N41,000 from drivers without any service.

The truckers under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, as well as petroleum tankers under the umbrella of Petroleum Tankers Drivers, protested within the Lekki-Epe transport corridor over the enforcement of the controversial N12,500 fee for parking.

The National President of NARTO, Yusuf Othman, explained that the truckers have temporarily suspended loading operations over the controversial fee.

Othman said, “We have not declared a strike action. We have only suspended loading operations at both Lekki Port and the Dangote Refinery because the N12,500 being charged per truck by the Lagos State Government is on the high side.

“We support the electronic call-up system but the amount can be lowered. N12,500 per truck is too much.

“While the suspension of operation is on, we are currently meeting with the Lagos State Government officials to arrive at a reasonable amount.”

At the time of filing this report, many of the truckers and petroleum tanker drivers have left their trucks, refusing to load.