Effective Rail Transportation is No Threat to Truck Haulage Business, Says Ayoola CEO Hezegovin
Frontline holding bays operator and Chief Executive Officer of Hezegovin Nigeria Limited, Mr. Oluwaseun Ayoola, has described truck haulage component of cargo movement as critical and would not be threatened by rail transportation.
Ayoola who spoke shortly after receiving an award of excellence from Daily Focus online newspaper, said the space for road mode of transportation will always exist with rail as part of intermodal logistics.
Ayoola, who is also a fleet truck owner, stated this at a brief award ceremony on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Lagos.
He also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the introduction of the Electronic Call-Up system, fondly known as ETO.
The Hezegovin boss was honoured by the publishers of DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA (online news) for his immense contributions to the haulage business in the maritime industry.
The transporter, who also celebrated his birthday on the same date, maintained that the ETO call-up system has led to seamless movement of cargoes in and out of the seaports, unlike what was experienced in the past.
According to him, the holding bays in Lagos operate seamlessly due to the sudden disappearance of gridlock, based on the progress recorded along the port corridors via ETO Call Up System.
He stated that the road infrastructure linking the seaports has improved over time, adding that the cost of transportation has reduced compared to when there was no electronic call-up system.
Ayoola explained that in less than 24 hours, trucks can access the ports to drop or lift consignments, unlike before when containers were seen littering the port corridors for up to one week.
“NPA is doing a great job with the ETO system. The system has made the holding bays’ job much easier. We don’t spend as much as we used to in the past.
“And for exports too, the operational movement of consignments has been seamless, and that is a fact,” Ayoola added.
The transporter further called on security agents to reduce checkpoints along the highways, saying – multiple checks affect the seamless operation of truckload consignments.
He opined that security agencies on the highways should complement seamless cargo movement, noting that the holding bays have helped reduce port congestion.
Highlight of the brief ceremony was the award presentation to the business mogul.
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