NPA Removes 1,500 Illegal Trucks, Boosts Barge Cargo Movement To Ease Apapa Gridlock

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has removed more than 1,500 illegally parked trucks and dismantled unauthorised checkpoints along the Apapa port corridors as part of renewed efforts to eliminate traffic congestion, improve cargo evacuation and curb extortion.

Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed that the exercise was carried out by the Authority’s special task force in collaboration with security agencies to restore order around the nation’s busiest seaports.

According to him, several operators of illegal toll collection points were arrested during the operation and have been handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

He said the crackdown is targeted at dismantling criminal activities responsible for persistent traffic gridlock and disruptions along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access roads.

To sustain the progress, Dantsoho said the Authority has deployed digital surveillance cameras along key port access routes, including the Mile 2 and Ijora corridors, to monitor traffic flow in real time and enable swift response to deliberate obstructions.

He explained that the initiative forms part of the NPA’s broader strategy to address congestion through technology-driven traffic management and improved cargo evacuation systems.

The NPA boss also revealed that the Authority is upgrading the Electronic Call-Up (Eto) System to eliminate human interference and prevent the issuance of fraudulent call-up slips that have contributed to traffic bottlenecks around the ports.

He noted that the enhanced system would strengthen security integration and improve transparency in truck scheduling and access to the ports.

In addition, Dantsoho disclosed that the NPA has expanded barge operations, with more than 30 per cent of containerised cargo now being transported through inland waterways.

He added that regular freight rail services linking the Lagos Port Complex with the Kaduna and Kano Dry Ports are also helping to reduce the volume of trucks on port access roads.

According to him, the combined interventions are expected to improve cargo evacuation, reduce delays for port users and enhance operational efficiency across Nigeria’s port system.