By David Akinmola
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has rolled out an electronic barrier system across Lagos port access roads in a fresh push to end the persistent problem of truck diversions and congestion at the country’s busiest maritime gateways.
In a statement on Thursday, the Authority said the new barriers installed at strategic entry points leading to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports—will work with its electronic call-up platform (known as “Eto”) to ensure only trucks with valid appointments can gain access to the port corridor.
According to NPA, the initiative is designed to close loopholes that have allowed some truckers to bypass the call-up system, worsening gridlock and undermining trade efficiency. With the electronic gates, every truck will be scanned and verified before entering the loading areas, creating a transparent trail of vehicle movement.
Acting Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the measure is part of a broader reform aimed at improving cargo evacuation and reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports. “The electronic barriers will complement the call-up system and other traffic management tools we have put in place. Our objective is to ensure sanity, improve turnaround time for trucks, and make our ports more competitive,” he said.
Truck diversions and indiscriminate parking have been longstanding problems on Lagos port access roads, often leading to crippling traffic jams and delays in cargo clearance. Despite the introduction of the Eto electronic call-up system in 2021, enforcement gaps have continued to allow unregistered vehicles to sneak into port precincts, frustrating shippers and terminal operators.
Bello-Koko noted that the NPA is working closely with the Lagos State Government, traffic enforcement agencies, and other port stakeholders to ensure compliance with the new regime. He warned that truck owners and drivers who attempt to circumvent the system risk stiff penalties, including suspension from the call-up platform.
Industry operators have welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step to restore order to the Apapa corridor. A clearing agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the barriers would “help eliminate the human interference that has been sabotaging the electronic call-up system.”
The NPA stressed that the electronic gates form part of a suite of technology-driven interventions, including real-time truck monitoring and automated payment solutions, aimed at transforming the port logistics chain.
With the electronic barriers now operational, the Authority expressed optimism that the era of indiscriminate truck movements around Lagos ports is drawing to a close, paving the way for smoother cargo evacuation and a more efficient supply chain.
