NPA moves to end truck gridlock, fast-track port digitisation at Apapa, Tincan

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it has intensified measures to eliminate truck gridlock and improve cargo evacuation at the Lagos Port Complex through scheduled truck releases and stricter enforcement.

The General Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Mr Debo Lawal, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Monday in Lagos.

Lawal said the NPA management, led by Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, was committed to ending indiscriminate truck parking around the ports and aligning operations with global best practices.

He said the authority was working with Truck Transit Parks Ltd. (TTP) to regulate truck movement into terminals through a phased release system.

According to him, trucks will now be released in scheduled batches based on terminal demand, instead of allowing all approved trucks to enter the port corridor simultaneously.

“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,” he said.

Lawal said a joint task force had been clearing Apapa and Tin Can port access roads since June 26, 2026, operating until about 8 p.m. daily to prevent indiscriminate parking.

He added that another clearance exercise would soon be conducted to sustain the gains and prevent a return to the persistent gridlock that previously characterised the port corridors.

The port manager, however, urged truck operators to support the initiative by exiting the port environment immediately after loading or offloading cargo.

He noted that some truck drivers still parked along access roads after completing port operations, despite repeated engagements by the authority.

“We engage truckers and their leadership every day, but enforcement will continue alongside sensitisation to ensure compliance,” he said.

On infrastructure, Lawal said the Federal Government, through the NPA, had begun payment of the five per cent counterpart funding required for the 726 million dollar port rehabilitation project.

He disclosed that preliminary activities, including borehole drilling and site investigations, had been completed, while contractors were expected to mobilise to site before the end of July.

According to him, a technical stakeholders’ meeting was held on July 7, while a broader stakeholders’ review was scheduled for July 13 to assess progress and address implementation gaps.

Lawal said the rehabilitation project, alongside ongoing reforms, was aimed at reducing cargo clearance time, eliminating documentation bottlenecks and improving operational efficiency at the nation’s seaports.

He added that the National Single Window project was about 80 per cent completed, with a dedicated office already established near the port to improve inter-agency coordination.

According to him, the digital platform will integrate banks, the Nigeria Customs Service, shipping companies and other government agencies to improve efficiency, plug revenue leakages and enhance revenue collection.

Lawal expressed confidence that improved digitisation, reduced human interference and more efficient truck management would strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and enhance operations at the Apapa and Tin Can ports.

The General Manager, Lagos Port Complex Mr Debo Lawal, has said that the Management of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has intensified efforts to eliminate truck gridlock and improve cargo evacuation through scheduled truck release and sustained enforcement.

Lawal stated this in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday in Lagos, noting that while no system is perfect, the Nigerian Ports Authority is reviewing operations daily to meet international best practice.

He said NPA management, led by Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, was not comfortable with trucks occupying roads and bridges, and is therefore working with Truck Transit Parks Ltd., (TTP) to sequence truck entry to terminals in batches.

According to him, the new method will ensure that if a terminal requires 100 trucks, they will not all be released at once, but in scheduled batches to reduce pressure on port access roads.

Lawal said a task force had been clearing Apapa and Tincan port access roads since June 26, 2026 working till about 8.00.p.m to ensure no trucks were parked indiscriminately along the corridors.

He added that another general clearance exercise will be conducted soon, as part of ongoing efforts to sustain sanity on the roads and prevent a return to the old days of prolonged traffic congestion.

The port manager, however, said truckers also have a role to play, noting that some drivers park on port access roads after clearing consignments instead of exiting the port environment immediately.

He said NPA has been engaging truckers and their leadership daily on compliance, but stressed that enforcement will continue alongside education to ensure proper use of port facilities.

On port infrastructure, Lawal disclosed that the Federal Government, through NPA, has commenced payment of the 5 per cent counterpart funding for the $726 million port rehabilitation loan.

He said preliminary works, including borehole drilling and site analysis, have been completed, and contractors are expected to mobilize to site before the end of July 2026.

Lawal added that a technical stakeholders’ meeting was held on July 7, 2026, while a broader stakeholders’ review meeting was scheduled for July 13, 2026, to assess progress and identify gaps in the rehabilitation plan.

He explained that the main objective of the ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrade is to reduce cargo clearance time and documentation bottlenecks at the ports.

The GM said the National Single Window project is already about 80 per cent on ground, with a new office opened close to the port to improve coordination among agencies.

He noted that once fully integrated, the system will link banks, Customs, shipping lines and other agencies, block revenue leakages, and ensure that government dues.