The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has dismantled over 1,500 illegally parked trucks and unauthorised checkpoints at the Apapa port corridors as part of measures to eliminate traffic congestion, restore order, improve cargo movement and reduce extortion.

The Authority also disclosed that it has expanded barge operations to move over 30 per cent of containerised cargo through inland waterways.

The Managing Director, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the authority’s special taskforce set up to eliminate gridlock and extortion on the Apapa port corridors has recorded significant breakthroughs by dismantling over 1,500 illegally parked trucks and unauthorised checkpoints.

Dantsoho said the operation, carried out in collaboration with joint security agencies, has led to the arrest of key operators of illegal toll collection points who have been handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

He said this is aimed at ending the activities of criminal elements responsible for worsening congestion around the seaport corridors.

Dantsoho stressed that the NPA has also deployed technology to sustain the gains recorded by the task force, with digital surveillance cameras now monitoring major access roads to the ports.

“We have also integrated digital surveillance cameras along primary access routes, including the Mile 2 and Ijora axes, to monitor traffic flow in real time and rapidly respond to deliberate disruptions,” the NPA boss stated.

He said the crackdown complements the NPA’s broader strategy to address persistent congestion around the Lagos ports through technology-driven traffic management and alternative cargo evacuation channels.

Dantsoho stated that the Authority is upgrading the Electronic Call-Up System to eliminate illegal human interference and the issuance of fake call-up slips that have contributed to traffic bottlenecks.

“To permanently resolve landside bottlenecks around the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Port Complexes, we are undertaking a major upgrade of the e-call up system. The upgrade will tighten security integration within the Eto platform to eliminate illegal human intervention and the issuance of fraudulent call-up slips,” he said.

The NPA boss further explained that the Authority has expanded barge operations to move over 30 per cent of containerised cargo through inland waterways, while regular freight rail services linking the Lagos Port Complex with the Kaduna and Kano Dry Ports are helping to reduce truck traffic on port access roads.

He, however, stated that the combined interventions are expected to improve cargo evacuation, reduce delays for port users and enhance operational efficiency across Nigeria’s port system.