The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is stepping up efforts to clear congestion along the Apapa port corridors, with particular attention to container evacuation, holding-bay capacity and truck movement.
Port Manager of the Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, said the authority was working with terminal operators, shipping lines and other maritime stakeholders to restore smoother traffic flow around the busy Lagos port axis.
Lawal disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday.
NPA targets container build-up
One of the immediate measures involves inspecting and assessing holding bays around the port corridor to establish their available capacity and identify operational problems affecting truck movement.
Lawal said APM Terminals Apapa had also been asked to provide regular information on its yard stock and move import containers to off-dock terminals where necessary.
The objective is to free up space inside the terminal and prevent a build-up of containers from creating further pressure on the port access roads.
The NPA is also focusing on the movement of empty containers, which has become an important part of the congestion problem.
Lawal urged shipping lines to evacuate empty containers promptly so that they do not continue occupying valuable terminal and corridor space.
Changes proposed to gate notifications
The port management is also reviewing the process used to notify shipping lines about gate closures.
Under the proposed arrangement, shipping lines would receive an initial notification five days before a closure, followed by another notice three days before and a final reminder one day ahead.
The NPA believes the revised notice system will give operators more time to plan cargo movements and reduce avoidable disruption.
24-hour monitoring of port corridors
Lawal said the NPA was maintaining round-the-clock personnel on the port access roads.
Patrols are being reinforced in collaboration with the Marine Police, while the movement of trucks carrying imports and exports is being monitored continuously.
The authority is also enforcing environmental and operational standards among terminal operators as part of efforts to make activities around the ports cleaner and more orderly.
Lawal urged consignees and truck operators to comply with the electronic call-up system and approved holding-bay procedures.
AMATO backs traffic management efforts
Muhammed-Sani Balla, National Secretary-General of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), welcomed the work being done by traffic management teams along the port corridors.
Balla said enforcement teams had helped improve order and compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures governing the electronic call-up system.
He said the Apapa and Tin Can Island corridors had experienced some relief from the severe gridlock previously associated with the routes.
Balla also commended the NPA management led by Abubakar Dantsoho, as well as the various agencies involved in managing port traffic.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of port managers, security personnel, the police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
He called for the current improvements to be sustained, particularly during the ember months, by ensuring that terminals release trucks according to their actual handling capacity.
