The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has launched a multi-agency task force to tackle the renewed traffic congestion along the Lagos port access road, in a fresh effort to restore seamless cargo movement and sustain recent gains in port efficiency.

The Intervention followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the managing director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, on June 23, 2026, where security agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and representatives of the Lagos State Government agreed on coordinated measures to eliminate operational bottlenecks disrupting cargo evacuation.

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

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the NPA’s general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Ikechukwu Onyemakara, said ensuring the free flow of cargo to and from the nation’s seaports remains a top priority for the Authority.

According to him, the task force comprises officials of 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).

Onyemakara said the team’s mandate is to regularly monitor truck movement on the port access road, identify potential disruptions capable of causing traffic congestion and promptly resolve such challenges.

“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,” he said.

He clarified that members of the task force would not set up checkpoints along the corridor but would maintain strategic presence at designated locations to ensure compliance without impeding traffic flow.

To facilitate swift intervention, Onyemakara disclosed that the task force had established a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which members could instantly report infractions or emerging traffic issues.

On the long-delayed renewal of the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system contract, the NPA spokesman said the Authority was reviewing the terms to ensure a more robust contractual framework before awarding a fresh agreement.

He explained that although the previous contract had expired, the ETO platform remained operational under the management of Truck Transit Parks (TTP) pending the completion of the procurement process.

Onyemakara expressed confidence that the renewal process would be concluded soon, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to maintaining free-flowing port access roads as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s port competitiveness.

“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.

“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.” (LEADERSHIP)

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