Overhaul of Apapa traffic setup will not interfere with port operations, according to NPA

The Nigerian Ports Authority has provided reassurance to port users and stakeholders that the ongoing review of the Electronic Truck Call-Up System, commonly referred to as ETO, will not interfere with port operations or the movement of cargo.

n

This assurance was given after the agreement between the NPA and Truck Transit Park Ltd, the company managing the ETO platform, came to an end in February 2026, with measures put in place to ensure business continuity during the review process.

n

According to Ikechukwu Onyemakara, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Strategy, provisions within the expired agreement allow for interim arrangements to be adopted, guaranteeing seamless operations and preventing any disruption to port activities.

n

Onyemakara stated that the review is a standard administrative procedure aligned with global best practices, emphasizing the NPA's commitment to maintaining efficiency and stability across the ports, with measures in place to ensure business continuity.

n

The ETO platform was first introduced in 2021, at the height of the Apapa gridlock crisis, to regulate the movement of trucks along the Lagos ports corridor, restoring order to the logistics chain and significantly reducing traffic congestion.

n

By implementing a pre-booking system for trucks before they access the ports, the initiative has improved cargo evacuation, enhanced vessel turnaround time, and increased predictability in port operations, according to industry stakeholders.

n

Stakeholders have noted that under the NPA's supervision, the digital call-up system has yielded positive results, and the Authority's reassurance is expected to boost investor confidence as the NPA pursues broader port modernisation initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and global competitiveness.

n

The NPA has reiterated that maintaining seamless port operations is a top priority, assuring stakeholders that the review process will not undermine the progress made since the introduction of the ETO system, which has had a significant impact on the ports' efficiency and overall performance.