The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has blamed petroleum tankers and non-state actors for the current traffic congestion along the Mile 2-Tincan Island road, saying they majorly contribute to this menace.
NPA’s Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Mr. Charles Okaga, who said this while speaking at a breakfast meeting organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos, pointed out that if effective control measures are not applied, the perennial traffic issues in the area may persist indefinitely.
Okaga emphasised the need for a sequential call-up system for petroleum tankers to the respective tank farms and depots, stating, “If we can bring the issue of petroleum tankers under control and implement sequential call-up procedures, we are halfway through solving the chaos in the Mile 2-Tincan axis.”
He further noted that resolving issues related to non-state actors, along with petroleum tankers, would significantly alleviate the traffic challenges in the area.
The Port Manager stressed the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in finding solutions to the situation, urging proactive measures from both government agencies and port users.
Acknowledging the progress made since the introduction of the electronic call-up system, Okaga emphasised the need for continuous improvement and effective enforcement of regulations to ensure smoother operations along the port corridors.
In his remarks, Mr. Ayodele Durowaye, representing the Managing Director of NPA, emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to enhance port efficiency.
He expressed readiness to engage with stakeholders to both improve existing policies and create an adequate environment for port operations.
President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, on his part emphasised the transformative potential of automation in streamlining port processes and reducing human interference.
“So, automation is the solution, there is no other way around it,” he stated.
Similarly, Mrs. Ese Egbosimba, a representative of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, underscored the role of automation in addressing traffic challenges along port corridors, advocating for stakeholder collaboration to implement effective solutions.
She stated, “I want to call on all critical stakeholders to speak up.”
Also speaking at the breakfast meeting, President of MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, highlighted concerns over challenges facing the electronic call-up system.
He emphasised the need for transparency, infrastructure improvement, and eradication of corruption to enhance port efficiency.
“Critical stakeholders have raised concerns. These issues have led to congestion, gridlock, and increased operational costs,” Bivbere pointed out.
The meeting aimed to explore workable solutions to rectify anomalies associated with the electronic call-up system and ensure its effective implementation for the benefit of the entire Maritime Industry.
Discussions focused on government initiatives, automation, reduction of human intervention, and eradication of corruption along port access roads to alleviate congestion and enhance efficiency.