NPA, ANLCA AGREE TO TACKLE APAPA, TINCAN GRIDLOCK, STRENGTHEN ETO SYSTEM
NPA, ANLCA Agree to Tackle Apapa, Tin Can Gridlock, Strengthen Eto System
By Babatunde Aremu
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, tackle traffic congestion on Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors, and accelerate cargo evacuation.
The agreement was reached at a strategic meeting at the NPA Corporate Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, between NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and ANLCA’s national leadership led by President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji.
NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said Dantsoho commended Apapa and Tin Can Port Managers for operational efficiency. He noted both ports’ recent ranking among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally was tied to reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dantsoho also linked the progress to Nigeria’s maritime diplomacy: emergence as first President of PMAWCA and Vice President for Africa of IAPH.
“This global recognition is not accidental; it is the direct result of our strategic and intentional mapping of port processes and our relentless pursuit of excellence,” he said.
A major focus was the Electronic Call-Up System, Eto, which regulates truck movements into and out of Apapa and Tin Can ports. Dantsoho said while the pilot achieved initial objectives, rising trade volumes now require a more robust framework to permanently eliminate gridlock.
“Lagos remains a vital commercial hub for West Africa. To sustain this status, we must aggressively pursue port modernisation. Much of our infrastructure is aging and requires comprehensive upgrades to meet international standards, deploy modern cargo-handling equipment and boost national revenue,” he stated.
