Yusuf Othman warns Lagos ports still suffer inefficiencies, extortion, and outdated systems, raising costs and delaying cargo movement.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yusuf Othman, has raised concerns over persistent inefficiencies, extortion, and operational failures at the Lagos ports, warning that these long-running problems continue to frustrate transporters and undermine national logistics.

Speaking In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Othman said that although recent government interventions have brought marginal improvements, the Lagos ports remain burdened by long-standing structural and operational failures that frustrate transporters, increase cargo turnaround time, and raise the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

“No doubt about it, all those items you enumerated, the problems subsist. I remember we had issues with the Office of Governance, Office of Operations. We had meetings with the Shippers’ Council. It was their view to ensure that there is free flow of vehicles in and out of the port, and also there is improved turnaround in terms of clearance of cargo imports into the country through that corridor. And you see, like Hassan enumerated, there are a lot of multiple checkpoints by non-state actors. You know, a lot of favouritism also, inefficient e-columns system. So all those bottlenecks are probably the reasons why the NPA probably shifted to other areas, instead of, you know, addressing those issues.”

He noted that although the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors are “a bit more organised” than in previous years, the level of improvement falls far short of what is required to guarantee smooth evacuation of cargo. “I must confess to you that the area before now used to be a bit more rowdy than before. There is an improvement, but we can do better.”

“And you see, like Hassan enumerated, there are a lot of multiple checkpoints by non-state actors. You know, a lot of favouritism also, inefficient e-columns system.

“From the side of the operations, even outside some of the associations and unions, there is a lot of extortion on the road from some non-state actors, The e-call-off is not very efficient.”

Othman criticised the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for maintaining direct control over the electronic call-up system despite persistent allegations that the platform is compromised. “From the NPA, if I may say, because the e-call-off is not very efficient and they have direct control of the e-call-off, and there is involvement of some of the officials into the operations, because there is, like I said, somebody can just get a ticket directly from the system without necessarily going through what was agreed in the operations.”

According to him, manipulation within the system allows some operators to obtain call-up tickets. “Somebody can just get a ticket directly from the system without necessarily going through what was agreed in the operations.”

Beyond the internal system failures, Othman said port operations are further complicated by the operational environment. “Even outside some of the associations and unions, there is a lot of extortion on the road from some non-state actors, and even some vehicles you will see they will break down on the road even before they clear the road.”

“Over time, you would have noticed so many trucks who have been operating in the upper part for more than 10, 20, even 30 years, still operating. And we’ve had so many accidents as a result of such very old trucks.”

According to him, the Lagos State Government’s decision to introduce 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks into the logistics system represents a bold attempt. “So it’s a very good initiative that His Excellency has decided, using his own wisdom, to ensure that some of those trucks are cleared out. One, in order to reduce the number of accidents. Two, in order to improve operations for Lagos state and Nigeria. And of course, to benefit all the stakeholders. It’s a very good initiative. It will go a long way in bringing improved livelihoods to the nations and Nigerians. And also the GDP of Lagos.”

Othman further praised the national CNG programme championed by President Bola Tinubu. “I must commend Mr. President and the presidential initiative of CNG for this very initiative they are doing. I must inform you, NATO is a direct beneficiary of the presidential initiative of CNG. They gave us 20 CNG buses who are running across the country. Five also, again, they gave us another three. And by that, we have reduced transportation costs by more than 30%.”

He said the Lagos CNG initiative would have a similar impact, helping to reduce the cost of moving containers. “So also, when you look at the new CNG initiative by Lagos State, number one, they will also try and ensure that they reduce the cost of movement of containers across the country from Lagos State and probably even within Lagos State. And of course, there will be some financing. We are trying to find currency which is the best way to ensure that one, the members of NATO and all other members who are into the operations, not necessarily NATO members, but because there are stakeholders who encourage them a lot, but there are so many of them, we are going to ensure that there is no issue arising from this financing.”

According to Othman, these reforms will not only benefit NARTO members but will support all truck operators. “And we will also try to ensure that even some of the old trucks, I hope Paripas will use the new trucks, but the old trucks are phased out.”

Speaking on the movement of port operations to other ports such as Warri, Onne, Calabar, and Lekki, Othman clarified that NARTO is not opposed to decentralisation. “Thank you so much. I am not opposed to decentralisation as far as NATO is concerned. I’m the national president of NATO, and we have members across the whole country, including Boréa. We also do the same service. We are particular about the NPA, because this is why we have a lot of, you know, experience, and we are trying to see a lot of presence of all the government actors. It’s a view to ensure that there’s no oppression. NPA is part of the Lagos state government. The Lagos state government is part of the government too. This is an issue they will naturally have to send us inside. I’m particular about the involvement of members, which is a way to ensure that there is no oppression. And those are political activities which will naturally send us inside.”

Othman also responded to allegations that transport unions contribute to the chaos around the ports. “And I want to tell you that yes, in every aspect of activity you have the good, the bad and the ugly, but just try and follow the good norms of the majority. I am not saying that we don’t have a bad system, it’s everywhere, but we try our very best and we are concerned. That is probably one of the reasons why we are here. We are concerned and we want an improved operation system.”

However, he insisted that the majority of operators adhere to established procedures and are committed to improving operations. “And if they put all of us on deck to ensure that we work jointly, all that are concerned to ensure that there is an improved system, and that was why I said other ports operating in neighbouring ports, what are they doing that is making other people go there, and what is the reason? What is the reason why they will have to leave and go to other environments? Is it just the decentralisation? I know there are other issues. How can we address them? I believe all these problems are addressed and anybody that is foul-mouthing can be punished, but the government has no business in business. They have a lot more other things to do than just get their capital.”

He further warned that unnecessary blame-shifting between government agencies and transport unions distracts from the real issues. “The issue is both. From the NPA, if I may say, because the e-call-off is not very efficient and they have direct control of the e-call-off, and there is involvement of some of the officials into the operations, because there is, like I said, somebody can just get a ticket directly from the system without necessarily going through what was agreed in the operations. Then also from the side of the operations, even outside some of the associations and unions, there is a lot of extortion on the road from some non-state actors, and even some vehicles, you will see they will break down on the road even before they clear the road. There is a lot more to it than what is proposed.”

Commenting on proposals for the Lagos State Government to take over operations at the Apapa ports, Othman rejected the idea, insisting that governance should focus on regulation rather than direct business operations. “The government has no business of business, my brother. And I want to tell you that yes, in every aspect of activity you have the good, the bad and the ugly, but just try and follow the good norms of the majority. I am not saying that we don’t have a bad system, it’s everywhere, but we try our very best and we are concerned. That is probably one of the reasons why we are here. We are concerned and we want an improved operation system.”

Othman concluded by calling for comprehensive reforms driven by collaboration among port authorities, transport unions, law enforcement bodies, and Lagos State agencies. “We are concerned and we want an improved operation system. And if they put all of us on deck to ensure that we work jointly, all that are concerned to ensure that there is an improved system, and that was why I said other ports operating in neighbouring ports, what are they doing that is making other people go there, and what is the reason? What is the reason why they will have to leave and go to other environments? Is it just the decentralisation? I know there are other issues. How can we address them? I believe all these problems are addressed and anybody that is foul-mouthing can be punished, but the government has no business in business. They have a lot more other things to do than just get their capital.” (ARISE NEWS)