Managing Director, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.

Worried by the recurring gridlocks on seaports’ access roads in Lagos, the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, has unveiled a multi-agency taskforce to combat the menace, as part of measures to restore seamless cargo evacuation and sustain recent gains in port efficiency through the various reform measures.

This is sequel to an earlier stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, penultimate week, which provided a platform for security and traffic management agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and representatives of the Lagos State Government to agree on coordinated measures to eliminate traffic bottlenecks that impede seamless movement of cargo in and out of the seaports.

The stakeholders had also in the course of the meeting identified some illegal extortion points, overlapping responsibilities among security agencies and other operational distortions that are believed to be part of the causes of the latest traffic buildup being experienced on Apapa and Tin Can Island Port access roads.

NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Ikechukwu Onyemakara, who hinted on the formation of the taskforce, noted that it became an overriding priority to guarantee the unhindered movement of cargo in and out of the nation’s seaports, especially those in Lagos, which are being affected by the traffic buildups.

Onyemakara further disclosed that operatives of the taskforce are drawn from the NPA, the Police, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO, and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO.

“The responsibility of the taskforce 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,” Onyemakara said.

He noted that members of the taskforce are not permitted to establish checkpoints along the corridors but would maintain strategic presence at designated locations to ensure compliance without obstructing traffic.

“To enhance rapid response, the taskforce has created a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which members can instantly report infractions or emerging traffic issues for immediate intervention.

“On the long-delayed renewal of the Electronic Truck Call-Up ETO system contract, the NPA is currently reviewing the terms and conditions to ensure a more robust contractual framework before awarding a fresh contract”, The GM said.

He also disclosed that though the previous contract had expired, the ETO platform remains operational under the management of the Truck Transit Parks TTP, pending the completion of the procurement process. He however expressed optimism that the renewal would be concluded soon.

“I wish to reaffirming the commitment of the NPA to maintaining free traffic flowing port access roads, because efficient logistics remain central to the Authority’s drive towards improving Nigeria’s port competitiveness and preserve its growing international reputation.

“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 internationals 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 rest assured that we remain fully committed to achieving the best possible performance from our seaports.”