NPA AND ANLCA AGREE TO WORK CLOSER ON PORT ACCESS AND CARGO MOVEMENT

NPA AND ANLCA AGREE TO WORK CLOSER ON PORT ACCESS AND CARGO MOVEMENT
Both Parties Target Gridlock, Eto Reforms and Faster Evacuation at Lagos Ports
By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigerian Ports Authority and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents have resolved to deepen cooperation to address traffic problems on the Apapa and Tin Can Island access roads, speed up cargo clearance and make business operations easier at Nigeria’s leading seaports.

The agreement came out of a high-level meeting between NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the ANLCA national executives led by President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji. The meeting was held at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Marina, Lagos, according to a statement signed by the NPA General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Ikechukwu Onyemekara.

At the meeting, Dantsoho praised the Apapa and Tin Can Island port teams for raising operational standards. He said the recent listing of both ports among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports was not accidental. He linked the progress to targeted reforms rolled out under the Authority’s plans, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also noted Nigeria’s rising profile in maritime affairs. The country now leads the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa as President and holds the Vice President for Africa position in the International Association of Ports and Harbours.

He said the international recognition reflects deliberate process mapping, consistent drive for better performance and recent diplomatic gains for Nigeria in global shipping circles.

A major part of the discussions focused on the Electronic Call-Up System, Eto, which manages truck entry and exit at Apapa and Tin Can. Dantsoho acknowledged that Eto has largely met its initial purpose. However, he said the growth in cargo volume means the system must be upgraded to a stronger model that can end persistent traffic build-ups around the ports for good.

He described Lagos as West Africa’s main trade entry point and said that status must be protected. To do that, he argued, port modernisation has to move faster. Many facilities, he noted, are old and need full upgrades to meet global benchmarks, accommodate modern handling equipment and improve service delivery.

Nwokeoji responded by commending NPA for the global acknowledgment received by the Lagos ports. He restated ANLCA’s support for measures that improve trade flow and port efficiency.

He urged closer working ties and asked NPA to bring licensed customs brokers directly into the management and monitoring of Eto. He said broker involvement would improve openness, create proper oversight and reduce extortion and needless delays that still affect port users.

He also extended a formal invitation to the NPA Managing Director to attend ANLCA’s 72nd Anniversary event later in the year.

The association further committed to partnering with NPA, the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders through a joint task force. The group will track truck movements and act quickly whenever disruptions occur on the port corridors.