NPA, ANLCA strengthen collaboration on ETO, port access roads

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system and the management of Apapa and Tin Can Island port access roads as part of efforts to eliminate traffic congestion, improve cargo evacuation and enhance the ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports.

The renewed partnership was sealed during a strategic meeting between the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the National Executive Committee of ANLCA, led by its National President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji, at the Authority’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos.

The engagement comes as the NPA intensifies stakeholder consultations to sustain recent gains in port efficiency and tackle the resurgence of traffic bottlenecks along the Lagos port corridors.

Speaking during the meeting, Dantsoho said effective collaboration with port users and industry stakeholders remains critical to improving logistics efficiency and maintaining seamless cargo movement through Nigeria’s busiest ports.

He noted that while the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system has significantly reduced the chaotic truck traffic that once crippled Apapa and Tin Can Island, rising cargo volumes now require a more robust operational framework capable of delivering sustainable traffic management.

The NPA boss said the Authority is committed to reviewing and strengthening the ETO system to improve transparency, efficiency and compliance, while complementing ongoing efforts to modernise port infrastructure and logistics operations.

He also applauded the management of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports for their contributions to the recent ranking of both ports among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports, describing the achievement as evidence that reforms under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda are yielding measurable results.

According to him, Nigeria’s growing recognition within the global maritime community, including its emergence as President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President for Africa of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), reflects the country’s commitment to international best practices in port administration.

Responding, ANLCA National President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji, commended the NPA for its reforms and reaffirmed the association’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving port efficiency and trade facilitation.

He called for greater involvement of licensed customs brokers in the administration of the ETO platform, arguing that their participation would enhance transparency, provide effective oversight and help eliminate racketeering, extortion and artificial delays affecting cargo movement.

Nwokeoji also pledged ANLCA’s support for the multi-agency task force recently established to monitor truck movements and respond promptly to disruptions along the Apapa and Tin Can port access corridors.

The two organisations agreed to sustain regular consultations and closer operational cooperation to improve the performance of the ETO system, ensure smoother truck scheduling, facilitate faster cargo evacuation and preserve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports.

The renewed partnership is expected to complement the NPA’s broader drive to modernise port operations, reduce logistics costs and position Nigerian ports as efficient gateways for regional and international trade.