NPA Introduces Phased Truck Entry To Tackle Apapa Port Gridlock
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has introduced a phased truck entry system for Apapa and Tin Can ports as part of measures to ease congestion and improve traffic flow around the nation’s busiest seaports.
The General Manager of the Lagos Port Complex, Debo Lawal, said the initiative is aimed at eliminating indiscriminate truck parking and aligning port operations with international best practices.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lawal said the NPA, under the leadership of its Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, is working with Truck Transit Parks Limited (TTP) to regulate truck movement through a demand-driven scheduling system.
Under the arrangement, trucks will be released into the ports in batches based on the operational needs of individual terminals, rather than allowing all approved trucks into the port corridor at the same time.
“If a terminal requires 100 trucks, they will not all be released at once. They will come in batches to reduce pressure on the port access roads,” Lawal explained.
He disclosed that a joint task force has been clearing Apapa and Tin Can port access roads since June 26, operating daily until about 8 p.m. to prevent indiscriminate parking. According to him, another clearance exercise will soon be carried out to sustain the progress made in restoring order around the ports.
Lawal also urged truck operators to leave the port environment immediately after loading or offloading cargo, noting that some drivers still park along access roads despite repeated engagements with their unions.
He stressed that enforcement efforts would continue alongside stakeholder sensitisation to ensure compliance.
On infrastructure development, Lawal revealed that the Federal Government, through the NPA, has commenced payment of the five per cent counterpart funding required for the 726 million-dollar port rehabilitation project.
He said preliminary activities, including borehole drilling and site investigations, have been completed, while contractors are expected to mobilise to site before the end of July.
The port manager added that a technical stakeholders’ meeting was held on July 7, with a broader review meeting scheduled for July 13 to assess progress and address implementation gaps.
According to him, the rehabilitation project, together with ongoing port reforms, is expected to reduce cargo clearance time, eliminate documentation bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency.
Lawal further disclosed that the National Single Window project is about 80 per cent complete, with a dedicated office already established near the port to strengthen coordination among government agencies.
He said the digital platform will integrate banks, the Nigeria Customs Service, shipping companies and other relevant agencies to streamline cargo clearance, improve revenue collection and reduce leakages.
Lawal expressed confidence that increased digitisation, reduced human interference and improved truck management would enhance Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and boost efficiency at the Apapa and Tin Can ports.
