The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has intensified efforts to sustain the free flow of cargo and vehicular movement around the nation’s busiest seaports, convening a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to tackle jurisdictional overlaps and alleged extortion along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access roads in Lagos.
The meeting, chaired by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, brought together key security agencies, government officials and maritime industry stakeholders in a coordinated push to address persistent operational challenges affecting port logistics.
Among those in attendance were the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Maritime), AIG Nurat Okunade; the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ojowuro Olasunkanmi; Secretary-General of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Godfrey Nwosu; and the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Commander Ganiyu Hamzat.
Also present were the National President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, and the association’s Secretary-General, Comrade Bala Mohammed.
The strategic engagement focused on eliminating operational bottlenecks that have continued to hamper the efficient movement of trucks and cargo to and from the nation’s premier ports. Stakeholders examined concerns over overlapping responsibilities among enforcement agencies and reports of extortion on critical port access routes.
Industry observers say the intervention underscores the NPA’s determination to improve the ease of doing business at the ports, enhance supply chain efficiency and support Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Dr. Dantsoho was joined at the meeting by the NPA’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Vivian Richard-Edet; Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Engr. Olalekan Badmus; and the General Manager, Security, Mr. Anthony Edosomwan.
The stakeholders reaffirmed the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration and coordinated enforcement measures to ensure seamless port operations, reduce delays and improve the overall logistics environment for port users.
The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to decongest port corridors, curb illegal activities and strengthen the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime sector, which remains a critical driver of the nation’s economy.
