The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration to improve ease of doing business, reduce congestion around the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors, and enhance cargo evacuation.
The agreement was reached during a strategic meeting between the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the National President of ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, at the NPA headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
According to a statement issued by the NPA's General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, both organisations pledged to work closely to address persistent traffic gridlock and improve operational efficiency at the nation's busiest seaports.
Speaking during the meeting, Dantsoho commended the Port Managers of Apapa and Tin Can Island for their commitment to operational excellence, noting that the recent recognition of the two ports among the World Bank's Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally reflects ongoing reforms in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also highlighted 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 its election as Vice President for Africa in the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
According to him, the international recognition is the result of deliberate reforms aimed at improving port processes, increasing efficiency and enhancing service delivery.
The meeting also focused on the Electronic Call-Up System (Eto), which regulates truck movement into and out of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
Dantsoho acknowledged that although the electronic call-up system has achieved its initial objectives, increasing trade volumes require a stronger framework to permanently eliminate congestion along the port corridors.
He stressed the need for accelerated port modernisation, noting that ageing infrastructure must be upgraded to meet global standards, support modern cargo-handling operations and improve national revenue generation.
On his part, ANLCA President Emenike Nwokeoji congratulated the NPA on the ports' improved global ranking and reaffirmed the association's commitment to initiatives that promote trade facilitation.
He called for greater involvement of ANLCA in the management and oversight of the electronic call-up system, arguing that the participation of licensed customs brokers would help eliminate racketeering and artificial delays on access roads.
Nwokeoji also pledged that ANLCA would collaborate with the NPA, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant stakeholders through a joint task force to monitor truck movements and ensure prompt response to disruptions affecting port operations.
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