Nigeria may be facing another wave of fuel scarcity as petrol marketers and truck owners protest the enforcement of a N12,500 e-call-up levy. This charge applies to trucks operating along Lekki-Epe, by the Lagos State Government.
On Monday, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) staged a peaceful protest by pulling fuel and haulage trucks from the route. They described the levy as exploitative and ill-timed, warning that it could cripple operations across the fuel distribution chain.
The withdrawal of tanker services from the corridor, a key petroleum products distribution hub housing the Dangote Refinery and other major facilities, has raised alarm over disruptions to fuel supply in Lagos and other regions.
The truckers argue that the N12,500 levy, introduced through a public-private partnership, is being imposed without proper infrastructure or engagement with stakeholders. They also insist it fails to tackle any real traffic problems.
“We have had several meetings, but the government has remained adamant. There is no gridlock along the corridor. So why this levy? This policy is not about solving a traffic problem, it’s about enriching private interests under the pretence of public benefit,” said Dele Tajudeen, immediate past chairman of IPMAN in the South-West.
Tajudeen also raised concerns about the destination of the funds, stating, “We already pay N7,000 at the toll gate. Now, an additional N12,500 is being demanded. That’s N19,500 before we even load fuel. And this money, we hear, is going to a private account, not the government. This is not sustainable.”
Truck owners say the financial burden will eventually be passed to consumers, compounding inflation and increasing fuel prices. With diesel costs surging and truck maintenance becoming more expensive, many fear the levy will drive them out of business.
