The Nigerian Ports Authority and stakeholders along the Lekki Port corridor are seeking tighter coordination of truck movements to ease congestion on a road serving the port, petroleum facilities, free-zone businesses, and coastal road construction. Lekki Port Manager Emmanuel Anda convened a stakeholders' meeting to address the issue, admitting that the volume and variety of traffic along the corridor required coordinated management. The meeting aimed to find solutions to the congestion affecting the corridor.
As an immediate measure, Anda directed trucks to use a single lane to allow other road users access, in line with the directive of the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State. He also called for trucks to be strictly released through the electronic call-up system, in line with the terminals' capacity to receive them at any given time. This move is expected to streamline truck movements and reduce congestion.
The Chief Operating Officer of the Lekki Free Port Terminal, Ajay Harlal Tyagi, said his organisation had introduced a one-container, one-booking system to prevent duplicate bookings. Additionally, a radio-frequency identification system was in place to improve access control and shorten truck turnaround times. These measures aim to improve the efficiency of truck movements and reduce congestion.
However, the Managing Director of Call-Up Technology, Timi Koleolu, said the agreed standard operating procedure was not being fully implemented. He urged truckers to use designated parks and complete the required booking process before proceeding to the port. The implementation of the standard operating procedure is crucial to ensuring orderly truck movement.
The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation is working with Lekki Worldwide Investment on an enforcement plan to ensure orderly truck movement and keep the road accessible to other users. Representing the ministry, Idris Seidu said agreements with transport unions on the use of designated parks were not being fully observed. The ministry's efforts aim to regulate truck movements and prevent congestion.
Stakeholders also raised concerns about trucks being turned back at the port gate, those making repeated attempts to gain entry through unauthorised ways, and returning through one-way routes. To address these issues, stakeholders agreed to inspect all designated truck transit parks within the corridor to assess their facilities and utilisation. This inspection aims to ensure that truck parks are equipped to handle the volume of trucks.
Lekki Port Manager Emmanuel Anda expects traffic congestion to ease within a month and pledged continued follow-up. He also called for the regulation of temporary truck parks and better facilities for drivers, including toilets, resting areas, canteens, lighting, security, and basic medical services. The implementation of these measures is expected to improve the overall efficiency of truck movements and reduce congestion.
Key points
- Lekki Port authorities have introduced measures to ease congestion on the port corridor, including directing trucks to use a single lane and implementing an electronic call-up system.
- The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation is working with Lekki Worldwide Investment on an enforcement plan to ensure orderly truck movement.
- Stakeholders have agreed to inspect designated truck transit parks to assess their facilities and utilisation.
