The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has introduced various measures to address the endemic vehicular gridlock in Apapa.
This was stated by the acting Managing Director, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, according to a statement issued by Mr Olaseni Alakija, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA.
It would be recalled that the NPA in partnership with the Lagos State Government and other relevant security agencies is in line with the Federal Government’s mandate have engaged in several policies to effect a full-scale clean-up operation at the two Lagos Ports.
Bello-Koko stated, “The increasing deployment of the electronic call-up infrastructure for cargo trucks, popularly known as ‘Eto’, launched in February, had greatly resolved the Apapa vehicular gridlock.
“Five months after assuming office as the acting managing director, the incremental deployment of the electronic call-up infrastructure for cargo trucks, known as ‘Eto’, launched in February has, to a large extent, resolved the Apapa vehicular gridlock.
“The authority keeps reviewing and improving on the system. While the authority is not unmindful of the pains of Apapa residents, what remains is to address the gridlock caused by the failed portion, along the Mile 2 to Tin-Can Port road.
“As soon as the entire stretch of the Tin-Can Port highway is completed, the perennial gridlock within Apapa wil be completely eliminated.
“After this, the NPA will fully deploy the ‘Eto’ call-up infrastructure, for trucks along the Tin-Can Port corridor.”
Debunking insinuations that the ‘Eto’ system had been compromised, the NPA boss explained that a comprehensive review of the system had been done. He added that the system manager had been directed to, as a matter of urgency, address all areas of deficiencies.
He further stated that the authority had fully embraced multimodal transportation by encouraging better use of barges and port-rail.
According to him, this has enhanced the movement of laden and empty containers in and out of the ports, a development that has brought significant reduction in the cost of doing business at the ports.
“As part of efforts to kick-off the electronic call up system, a fully automated transit truck park was established.
“Already, 29 satellite parks have been approved to ensure that trucks coming to do business in the port are properly profiled and verified.
“Out of the 29 parks, about eight have met the required standards, which include installation of bollards, CCTVs, automated gate systems and relevant information technology equipment,” he added.
Recall that in February the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, launched Eto, an Electronic Truck call-up system designed for the management of truck movement and access to and from the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports, Apapa, Lagos.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has lamented that over 30 toll points manned by security personnel, where bribes are allegedly being collected before trucks are allowed into the Port, had sprung up around the Apapa and Tin Can Ports.
