Lekki Port Moves to Tighten Truck Controls as Corridor Congestion Bites

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.

The push came at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Lekki Port Manager, Emmanuel Anda, at the port last week. Anda admitted that the volume and variety of traffic along the corridor required coordinated management.

Single lane, strict call-up

As an immediate measure, Anda directed trucks to use a single lane to allow other road users access. He said the “move was in line with the directive reiterated by 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.

Terminal operators tighten booking

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. He said a radio-frequency identification system intended to improve access control and shorten truck turnaround times was in place.

The Managing Director of Call-Up Technology, Timi Koleolu, said the agreed standard operating procedure was not being fully implemented. “The SOP is not being followed,” he said, urging truckers to use designated parks and complete the required booking process before proceeding to the port.

Enforcement and facilities

Earlier, the Head of Projects at Lekki Worldwide Investment, Adedeji Oyedele, said investments in truck parks needed to translate into effective utilisation. He noted that the Lagos State Government had mandated the electronic call-up system across the corridor.

Representing the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Idris Seidu, said agreements with transport unions on the use of designated parks were not being fully observed. He said the ministry was working with Lekki Worldwide Investment on an enforcement plan to ensure orderly truck movement and keep the road accessible to other users.

Anda 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.

Stakeholders 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.

The stakeholders agreed to inspect all designated truck transit parks within the corridor to assess their facilities and utilisation. Anda said he expected traffic congestion to ease within a month and pledged continued follow-up.