Average truck driver loses N200,000 daily to gridlock, inefficiencies at Apapa Port

• 350 trucks trapped at Lilypond pre-gate
• Shippers’ Council pledges to address inefficiencies

Truckers servicing the Apapa seaport are facing significant financial losses, estimated at N200,000 daily per truck, due to prolonged delays and high checkpoint fees associated with accessing the APM Terminals (APMT) where inefficiencies in cargo handling processing have continued for weeks.

Already, about 350 trucks destined for Apapa Port are stranded at the Lillypond pre-gate, leading to a resurgence of traffic jams along the port access road. The Guardian learnt that truck drivers are being forced to pay N10,000 bribe or more to traffic controllers at checkpoints to expedite their access to the APMT.

Also, truckers spend between N180,000 and N200,000 on unofficial ‘direct call-up’ purchases to gain quick access to APMT, while those with official call-up tickets are experiencing delays at the pre-gate, leading to expired tickets and daily losses of about N200,000 due to fuel costs, driver dispatch, and wasted call-up tickets.

This ongoing issue has sparked tension among the drivers, who are threatening a large-scale protest if the situation does not improve, citing job losses as they watch trucks with unofficial direct call-up accessing the port while they wait indefinitely incurring significant financial losses.

Truckers, under the aegis of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), told The Guardian that the backlog had created opportunities for alleged corruption among traffic controllers, who reportedly charge exorbitant fees from drivers wishing to use the express lane, leaving those unable to pay at a standstill.

They also said that several trucks were being allowed through without call-up passes or with stickers that do not match their registration details, saying that these lapses could disrupt trade, slow down cargo movement, and compromise the integrity of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) call-up system.

Responding to the inefficiencies, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, assured the truckers that the council is working closely with terminal operators to enhance operational efficiency through improved ICT and compliance standards. Akutah pledged that the Council would not approve fee increase but continue seeking ways to keep costs manageable.