The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced plans to modernise the nation's port infrastructure and strengthen collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to address persistent traffic congestion around the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.
The commitment was made during a strategic meeting between the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the national leadership of ANLCA, led by its President, Emenike Nwokeoji, at the Authority's headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
According to a statement issued by the NPA's General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, both organisations agreed to deepen cooperation to improve the ease of doing business at Nigeria's seaports and enhance operational efficiency.
Speaking at the meeting, Dantsoho commended the management teams of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports for their commitment to operational excellence, noting that the recent recognition of both ports among the World Bank's Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally was driven by ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also said the achievement complements Nigeria's growing influence in global maritime governance, citing the country's emergence as the first President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President for Africa at the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
According to him, the international recognition reflects deliberate efforts to improve port processes and strengthen service delivery.
Dantsoho identified port modernisation as a key priority, stressing that aging infrastructure must be upgraded to meet international standards, accommodate increasing trade volumes, improve cargo handling efficiency, and boost government revenue.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen the Electronic Call-Up System (Eto), which regulates truck movements into and out of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
While acknowledging that the system has significantly improved traffic management since its introduction, he noted that rising cargo volumes require enhanced operational measures to permanently eliminate gridlock along the port access roads.
In his remarks, ANLCA National President, Emenike Nwokeoji, congratulated the NPA on the global recognition and reaffirmed the association's commitment to supporting policies that promote trade facilitation and efficient port operations.
He called for closer collaboration between both organisations and urged the NPA to involve ANLCA in the management and oversight of the electronic call-up system.
According to Nwokeoji, the participation of licensed customs agents would provide additional transparency, curb racketeering, and reduce avoidable delays experienced by port users.
He also invited the NPA Managing Director to the association's 72nd anniversary celebration later this year.
Nwokeoji further disclosed that ANLCA would collaborate with the NPA, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant stakeholders through a coordinated task force to monitor truck movements and respond swiftly to disruptions along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.
No comments:
Post a Comment