Esther Oritse


Lagos —

Even with efforts by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to reduce congestion, export cargo remains stuck at multiple Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) in Lagos. This situation has sparked worries regarding the efficiency of present logistics management strategies.

Vanguard discovered that some trucks remain at specific Export Processing Zones for as long as four days before gaining entry to the ports. This delay has the potential to seriously jeopardize Nigeria’s export industry if immediate action isn’t taken.

Mr. Ridwan Bello, a truck driver and the chairperson of the All Container Truckers Professional Association (ACTP), commented on the issue, stating that the current bottleneck at the port exits for export goods is reportedly due to trucks flouting the prescribed entry rules and circumventing the formal check-in processes.

He stated: “I understand that certain trucks, which bypass the proper procedures for entering the ports, are responsible for these disruptions.”

The Export Processing Terminal located beyond the port corridors is responsible for our current predicament since it lacks the capability to prescreen trucks prior to their entry into the ports.

The placement of this recently approved ETP is intended to demonstrate that theseExportterminaloperations lack authenticity.

Once again, we learn that specific officials from the Nigerian Ports Authority, working alongside some security personnel, are allegedly engaged in profit-driven activities. These involve detaining trucks and releasing them only after a payment of 250,000 naira has been made.

Regarding the current situation, Mr. Seun Olaseni, a representative from the Bellington Export Processing Terminal, verified disturbances in the shipment exports flowing through the pre-gate facilities. According to him, this problem stems from suspected improper activities conducted by Dynamix Export Terminal, where vehicles without valid shipping documents appear to be involved.

Olaseni further revealed that the administrators of these export processing terminals had discussions with the top officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority. As part of the agreement from this meeting, it was decided that Dynamix ought to be provided with a larger space for storing their trucks prior to them being directed towards the ports.

Olaseni disclosed that the managers of the export processing terminals recently convened a meeting with the leaders of the Nigerian Ports Authority. He mentioned that one of the agreements made during this gathering was advising Dunamix to secure a bigger storage area for their lorries before arranging them at the ports.

Defending her terminal, Mrs. Roseline Ejiofor argued that her facility faces similar levels of overcrowding issues as observed at other Export Processing Terminals (EPTs).

She additionally stressed that Dunamix has always adhered to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s guidelines for trucks entering ports with export cargo, implying that the recent criticism might be due to other terminal operators feeling challenged by Dunamix’s presence in the market.

She stated: “Trucks cannot enter the ports unless they are properly documented. We refrain from releasing trucks electronically as we have sufficient capacity at our three facilities located near the port access roads.”

We’re experiencing congestion issues and losing customers as well. It’s currently midday and NPA hasn’t asked for the manifest yet, which is impacting our operations.

Our facility is at full capacity; we are unable to accept new reservations unless we free up space by releasing trucks from the terminals.