Maritime

Apapa Ports Decongestion: FG To Revitalise Eastern Ports

Published

4 years ago

February 14, 2022

By: Chinedu Wosu

In a bid to improve maritime activities and containers traffic at the Eastern Ports, the Federal Government says it would revitalize the ports to reduce huge traffic at Apapa Ports
The government said the aim is to boost trade and maritime activities at the Eastern ports
Minister of State for Transport, Senator. Gbemisola Saraki, stated this in Port Harcourt during a one-day stakeholders workshop with the theme, “Framework to Stimulate Activities and Encourage Patronage in the Eastern Ports”, held at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.
Senator Saraki said throughout history, the Eastern Ports of Calabar, Warri, Rivers Port Complex and Onne, Koko, Burutu have played major role in the development of international trade through shipping and nation building
The workshop, she said, was organized to listen to the complaints and gather information on the challenges faced by shippers to enable the government take necessary steps in resolving them.
This, shae said, will be done with a view to encouraging shipping activities at the Eastern Ports, in view of the fact that 75 percent of shippers are from the Eastern region.
She decried that these ports are experiencing a downturn in shipping as a result of dwindling infrastructure, insecurity, low channels draughts, power supply at the ports, including unavailability of marine infrastructures.
The Senator insisted that the revitalization of the Ports would create employment in the region and reduce criminalities.
The Minister also noted that Lagos Ports are over burdened in terms of receiving and handling of inbound and outbound cargos, thereby causing gridlock with its attendant consequence of delay in clearance process, loss of manhour, revenue and corruption.
“I am pleased with this workshop because having noticed that most of the recommendations are to be carried out by the Nigerian Ports Authority and other Agencies supervised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, it has also created an avenue to enable other relevant ministries, department and agencies involved in shipping to contribute and proffer ways which the resolutions of the committee will be implemented to enhance patronage of the Eastern Ports”, she said.
She noted that the Federal Government has taken steps towards improving the patronage of the Eastern Ports by putting issues of policies, security, and infrastructure in the front burner.
On insecurity, specifically attacks of vessels and kidnapping of crew members, the minister said Nigeria has entered into agreement with an international company to provide water protection to deal with issues of insecurity resulting from piracy, robbery, kidnapping and armed robbery in Nigeria’s waterways.
“We are committed to the deployment of a multi modal system of transportation from all our ports.
“It is our belief that both the government and private sector have important roles to play in contributing to the development of the maritime sector and stakeholders implored to commit, synergize and cooperate towards these efforts to bring patronage to the Eastern ports for the benefit of the nation.
“I therefore expect that at the end of this workshop, the constraints of the shippers within the Eastern Ports axis would have been obtained to enabled government take necessary action in resolving them”, Saraki said.
Earlier, the Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, said the Authority had set up a committee to look into the low patronage of vessels and investors experienced by the Eastern ports.
Koko noted that the management of NPA is also tackling problems of low cargos and insecurity in the four ports.
He also stated that the NPA is seeking collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in tackling sea piracy in the waterways, especially in Calabar.
The MD noted that in all Ports in the country, it is only Calabar Port that has jetty that services passengers outside the country and appealed to investors to key into the sector to boost water transportation in the country.
He further appealed to importers and exporters to always patronise the Eastern ports for quick delivery of cargoes and inefficiency.

Maritime

NPA Vows To Sustain Sanity On Port Access Roads ……Deploys ETO To Enhance Truck Movement

Published

3 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated it’s commitment to preventing a return to the severe Apapa gridlock that previously plaqued the Lagos ports access roads.

It said the electronic truck call- up system ( ETO) has been recently reviewed and enhanced to integrate terminal gates directly with the ETO platform.

Speaking in reaction to media reports on the resurgence of gridlock on port access roads, Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, said the NPA, in line with its mandate to ensure the smooth operation of port activities and the free flow of traffic around the Apapa Port Complex corridor, remained fully committed to maintaining order and preventing any reoccurrence of the gridlock previously experienced along the access roads.

“We have recently undertaken a review and enhancement of the ETO system, which now integrates Terminal Gates directly with the ETO platform.

“This integration is designed to provide a structured sequencing of truck movements, both inbound and outbound within the Apapa Port Complex.

“The objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency, improve traffic efficiency, and maintain a sustainable operating environment around the ports.

“However, the success of this system depends largely on the cooperation and compliance of all Stakeholders, including Terminal Operators, Transport Unions, Drivers, Clearing Agents, and Government Agencies (Both Federal and State).

“Sequencing truck entry and exit is not rocket science. With sincerity of purpose and commitment from all concerned, we can achieve and maintain orderliness and prevent a return to the chaotic conditions of the past.

“It is in our best interest, because smooth Ingress and Egress of Trucks will, in the long run, bring about high turnover for all stakeholders,” he stated.

Maritime

DANTSOHO Calls For Synergy In Revamping Nation’s Ports

Published

3 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for synergy in revamping the nation’s ports.

Dantsoho made the call shortly after the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He insisted that without collaboration amongst major actors little or nothing would be achieved in revamping the ports

“Until there is collaboration and partnership you cannot achieve efficiency at the ports”, he said.

Dantsoho highlighted steps taken by the Ports Authority to address bottlenecks faced by importers and exporters at the nation’s ports.

The MD said the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee established by the NPA is recording huge successes through the joint inspection and boarding by relevant agencies operating in the area.

He identified adoption of technology, improvement in infrastructure, human capacity building, equipment and tools, as areas that could be improved to enhance port efficiency.

This, according to him, would ensure that Nigeria remains competitive and relevant in the sub-region, continent and beyond.

Speaking at the event, the Director – General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, called for collective resolve among stakeholders to improve port operations, making cargo clearance faster and more efficient.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee, Audi however, decried the losses incurred as a result of the inefficiency at the nation’s ports,

Audu described the committee as a platform that represents not only interagency collaboration but a shared commitment to making Nigeria’s ports globally competitive, transparent, and efficient.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

Customs To Partner NAPTIP On Human Trafficking Menace

Published

3 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) said it will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in combating human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species.

The Comptroller General Cust oms, Adewale Adeniyi stated this while playing host to the Courtesy Visit by a delegation from NAPTIP, in his office, in Abuja.

He noted that Nigeria’s security challenges require joint action, as the Service does not view crimes solely through the lens of smuggling but through broader national security implications.

Adeniyi said “We believe in the power of collaboration,We can achieve more with less when we work together.”

The Comptroller General revealed that the Service has intensified its work on environmental sustainability and the enforcement of international conventions regarding flora and fauna, assured the delegation that Customs will fully collaborate on the upcoming national dialogue on human trafficking and stowaway incidents, scheduled for February 2026.

He pledged to provide technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and access to the Service’s training curriculum to strengthen inter-agency understanding of trafficking dynamics.

“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally”

” We will work with your designated officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security”, he stated.

Adeniyi commended the delegation for their continued service to the country and assured them of Customs’ unwavering support.

Earlier, the Director General, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed delight at securing formal engagement with the Customs Service.

She stated that NAPTIP was eager to strengthen operational partnerships, particularly in areas such as intelligence exchange, policy development, and cross-border enforcement.

In her words, “I am happy today that I finally made it here and held this discussion with the Comptroller-General. We are a law enforcement agency with mandates to prevent, prosecute and protect as partnership with Customs is essential for our work”

She noted that human trafficking continues to evolve, requiring close coordination among agencies operating at Nigeria’s multiple entry and exit points.

Also Speaking former Director with NIMASA; Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the visit was to seek Customs’ partnership for a one-day national policy dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.

Tumaka described Customs as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” adding that its involvement is critical to the success of the dialogue.

“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable”, she said.

By: Chinedu Wosu