ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Nigerian Ports Authority has inaugurated a multi-agency task force to tackle the resurgence of traffic gridlock along the Lagos port access roads, as part of renewed efforts to ensure seamless cargo evacuation and sustain recent improvements in port efficiency.
The move followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, where security agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and representatives of the Lagos State Government agreed on coordinated measures to address the bottlenecks disrupting cargo movement.
A statement issued on Tuesday said participants at the meeting identified illegal extortion checkpoints, overlapping responsibilities among security agencies and other operational shortcomings as the major causes of the renewed congestion on the port corridor.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the NPA’s General Manager of Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said the authority’s primary objective is to “guarantee the unhindered movement of cargo to and from the nation’s seaports.”
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According to him, the task force comprises officials of the NPA, the Police, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners.
“The responsibility of the task force is to monitor truck movement on the port access roads on a regular basis, identify any disruption capable of causing gridlock, and immediately resolve such challenges,” Onyemekara said.
He added, “Members of the task force would not establish checkpoints along the corridor but would maintain strategic presence at designated locations to ensure compliance without obstructing traffic.”
To strengthen rapid response efforts, Onyemekara said the task force had established a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which members could promptly report traffic violations or emerging congestion for immediate action.
Speaking on the long-delayed renewal of the Electronic Truck Call-Up System contract, the NPA spokesman said the authority was reviewing the contract terms to develop a stronger framework before awarding a new agreement.
He explained that although the previous contract had lapsed, the ETO platform continued to operate under the management of the Truck Transit Parks pending the conclusion of the procurement process.
He expressed optimism that the renewal would be finalised soon.
Reaffirming the NPA’s commitment to ensuring seamless access to the nation’s ports, Onyemekara said efficient logistics remained at the heart of the authority’s efforts to enhance Nigeria’s port competitiveness and sustain its growing international recognition.
“We are more interested in the free flow of logistics into our ports than anyone else because it is in our own interest. If you look at the international recognition we are receiving, including the World Bank report, we are determined to sustain and even surpass the improvements already recorded in our port system. You can be assured that we remain fully committed to achieving the best possible performance from our ports,” Onyemekara said.