The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has inaugurated a multi-agency task force to address the resurgence of traffic congestion along the Lagos port access roads, as part of renewed efforts to ensure seamless cargo evacuation and sustain improvements in port operations.

The initiative followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, last month, where security agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and representatives of the Lagos State Government agreed on coordinated measures to eliminate bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.

Deliberations at the meeting identified illegal extortion points, overlapping responsibilities among security agencies and other operational inefficiencies as major causes of the renewed gridlock along the port corridor.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA, Ikechukwu Onyemakara, said the Authority remains committed to ensuring the unhindered movement of cargo to and from the nation’s seaports.

According to Onyemakara, the task force has been mandated to monitor truck movement along the port access roads on a regular basis, identify disruptions capable of causing traffic gridlock and immediately resolve such issues before they escalate.

He explained that members of the team would not establish checkpoints along the corridor but would instead maintain strategic presence at designated locations to ensure compliance while avoiding further obstruction to traffic.

To facilitate swift response to emerging challenges, Onyemakara said the task force has created a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which members can instantly report traffic violations and other incidents requiring immediate intervention.

On the renewal of the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system contract, which expired recently, the NPA spokesman said the Authority is reviewing the contractual terms to ensure a stronger and more effective framework before awarding a new agreement.

He, however, clarified that the ETO platform remains operational under the management of Truck Transit Parks (TTP) pending the conclusion of the procurement process.

He expressed optimism that the renewal process would be completed soon.

Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to maintaining free-flowing port access roads, Onyemakara noted that efficient logistics remain central to the NPA’s strategy to enhance Nigeria’s port competitiveness and sustain the country’s improving global reputation.

“We are more interested in the free flow of logistics into our ports than anyone else because it is in our own interest,” he said.

He added that the Authority was determined to consolidate the gains already recorded in port efficiency, citing recent international recognition, including positive assessments by the World Bank, as evidence of ongoing progress.

“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,” Onyemakara said.

The newly inaugurated task force comprises representatives of the NPA, the Nigeria Police Force, 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).

Stakeholders operating within the Lekki Deep Seaport corridor have agreed on a series of measures aimed at eliminating the persistent traffic gridlock that has crippled access roads to the port and adjoining industrial facilities for more than a year.

The resolution was reached at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and chaired by the Lekki Port Manager, Emmanuel Anda.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Lagos State Government, Lekki Port, Dangote Refinery, truck owners’ associations, the Electronic Truck Call-Up System operator, and other key industry stakeholders.

A major decision taken at the meeting was the prohibition of stationary trucks and tankers along the Lekki port corridor.

Stakeholders agreed that all trucks must remain in designated holding bays and waiting areas until they receive clearance to proceed to the port or industrial facilities.

The agreement followed an inspection tour of the Lekki port access roads by the stakeholders, who witnessed firsthand the severity of the traffic congestion. They subsequently resolved that the situation could no longer be allowed to persist.

Speaking at the meeting, the representative of Mycallup, the electronic truck call-up system operator for the Lekki Port corridor, Timi Koteolu, identified trucks servicing Dangote Refinery outside the electronic scheduling platform as one of the major causes of the gridlock.
According to him, many truck drivers operating with Dangote Refinery’s Authority to Collect (ATC) permits have been found parking indiscriminately along the roads while waiting to gain access to the refinery.
Koteolu disclosed that trucks servicing the refinery are currently not integrated into the port’s electronic call-up system, a development he said has contributed significantly to the traffic bottleneck.

Responding, the representative of Dangote Refinery, Jaiyeola Moshood, explained that the ATC permits serve as the approved access mechanism for tankers entering the refinery.
However, the management of the electronic truck call-up system maintained that trucks without an active call-up should not approach the port corridor and should instead remain in designated waiting areas until they are required at their respective terminals.

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) pledged their support for the initiative, promising to sensitise their members while calling for strict enforcement of traffic regulations to restore order along the corridor.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of NUPENG Dangote Refinery, Ademola Adeshina, stressed the need to decongest the port corridor and assured stakeholders that his members would comply with the established Standard Operating Procedures.

Anda commended the stakeholders for their commitment to finding a lasting solution to the traffic challenge and urged all parties to adopt a practical approach to addressing the menace.
He specifically encouraged Dangote Refinery to fully integrate with the electronic truck call-up platform, noting that such collaboration would significantly improve traffic management and reduce the indiscriminate presence of trucks on the access roads.

The Lekki Port Manager also assured participants that discussions would continue with the management of Dangote Refinery to strengthen coordination of truck movements, stressing that vehicles issued with ATC permits should only proceed when duly cleared.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the collective measures would restore free flow of traffic, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safety along the Lekki port corridor, a critical gateway for Nigeria’s expanding maritime and industrial activities.

Nigeria has expressed readiness to leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) to intensify efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and strengthen the sustainable management of its marine resources.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

The meeting focused on deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the European Union on maritime security, ocean governance and the sustainable development of marine resources.

Oyetola described illegal fishing as a major threat to Nigeria’s marine ecosystem and coastal livelihoods, warning that the practice continues to deplete fish stocks, undermine food security and weaken the economic wellbeing of communities that depend on fishing activities.

According to the minister, IUU fishing poses broader risks beyond environmental degradation, affecting national security and economic stability.

“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a direct threat to national security, food sovereignty, and the survival of our coastal communities. We cannot afford to stand by and watch our marine ecosystems depleted and economic livelihoods eroded,” he said.

He stressed the need for stronger international collaboration, backed by enhanced monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, to curb illegal fishing activities and protect the country’s territorial waters.

Welcoming the EU envoy, Oyetola commended the European Union for its sustained partnership with Nigeria, particularly its support for maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, which remains a strategic corridor for global shipping and regional trade.

The minister noted that the WASOP initiative presents a significant opportunity for countries in the region to strengthen coordinated action against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance and promote the sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

He said Nigeria was prepared to actively participate in the programme to attract technical and financial support aimed at enhancing enforcement capabilities and advancing the country’s blue economy agenda.

Oyetola also highlighted ongoing reforms under the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which seeks to drive innovation, encourage private sector investment and ensure sustainable exploitation of ocean resources.

He cited improvements in port operations, logistics and maritime security, while noting that efforts were underway to expand maritime infrastructure and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade.

The minister further called for broader cooperation beyond anti-piracy initiatives, urging development partners to support Nigeria in tackling environmental crimes, human trafficking and illegal fishing through a more integrated approach.

He specifically sought increased technical assistance from the European Union in areas such as surveillance technology, fisheries monitoring and enforcement systems to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat illegal fishing across the Gulf of Guinea.

In his remarks, Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with Nigeria and supporting regional efforts aimed at ensuring safer and more sustainable oceans.

He said the WASOP initiative, funded by the EU, was designed to promote integrated ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems across West Africa.

According to the ambassador, the programme will support improved coordination among coastal states, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and promote a more inclusive and sustainable blue economy in the region