The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have resolved to join forces to tackle the persistent congestion in the nations seaports situated in Lagos.
They also agreed to deepen their collaboration in order to improve ease of doing business in the country by addressing the congestion along the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports corridors and accelerate cargo evacuation.
These were contained in a pressed statement signed NPA General Manager, Corporate Affairs Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara and made available to Maritime Bits.
According to him, the agreement was reached during a strategic engagement at the NPA Corporate Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, between the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the ANLCA’s national leadership led by its National President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji.
The statement quoted Dantsoho commending the Port Managers of Apapa and Tin Can Island for their commitment to efficiency.
He noted that the recent ranking of both ports among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally reflects deliberate reforms in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the milestone also aligns with Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance, following its emergence as the first President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President for Africa in the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)
Dantsoho’s words: “This global recognition is not accidental. It is the direct result of our strategic and intentional mapping of port processes and our relentless pursuit of excellence. This achievement is further reinforced by Nigeria’s recent diplomatic successes in the maritime sector.”
He explained the Electronic Call-Up System popularly known as ETO which regulates truck movement in and out of the in Apapa and TinCan ports was a central point of discussion during the engagement.
The NPA helmsman acknowledged that while the pilot scheme has achieved its initial objectives, increasing trade volumes now require a more robust framework to permanently curb gridlock.
Said he: “Lagos remains a vital commercial hub for West Africa. To sustain this status, we must aggressively pursue port modernization. Much of our infrastructure is aging and requires comprehensive upgrades to meet international standards, deploy modern cargo-handling equipment, and boost national revenue.”
Nwokeoji in his remarks congratulated NPA management on the World Bank ranking and reaffirmed ANLCA’s commitment to policies that enhance trade facilitation.
The ANLCA National President called for closer collaboration, specifically requesting that ANLCA be directly involved in the management and oversight of the electronic call-up system.
According to Nwokeji, the active participation of licensed customs brokers would provide the necessary checks and balances to eliminate racketeering and artificial delays on port access roads.
During the engagement, Nwokeoji formally invited Dantsoho to ANLCA’s 72nd anniversary celebration, scheduled to hold before the end of the year.
He also pledged to work closely with the NPA, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant stakeholders through a coordinated task force to monitor truck movements and respond swiftly to disruptions along the port corridors.
