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Stakeholders operating within the Lekki Deep Seaport corridor, including Dangote Refinery, have agreed on a series of measures aimed at ending the persistent traffic gridlock along the port access roads, including a ban on roadside parking by trucks and tankers and stricter coordination of vehicle movements into industrial facilities.
The resolutions were reached during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and presided over by the Lekki Port Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Anda. The meeting brought together representatives of Dangote Refinery, Lekki Port, Lagos State Government, truck owners, the Electronic Truck Call-Up System (ETO), and other critical stakeholders.
At the meeting, participants unanimously agreed that stationary trucks and tankers would no longer be allowed to occupy roads within the Lekki port corridor. Instead, all vehicles are expected to remain in designated holding bays and waiting areas until they are called into the port or industrial facilities.
The stakeholders had earlier undertaken an inspection tour of the Lekki port access corridor where they witnessed firsthand the scale of the traffic congestion. Following the assessment, they resolved that urgent intervention was needed to restore order and free movement along the route.
Speaking during the meeting, the representative of Mycallup- the electronic Truck Call up system for the Lekki Port corridor, Mr Timi Koteolu noted that one of the major contributors to the traffic congestion has been the movement of trucks servicing Dangote Refinery outside the electronic call-up system.
According to him, many truck drivers operating with Dangote Refinery’s Authority to Collect (ATC) permits have been found parking indiscriminately along the roads while awaiting access into the refinery.
Koteolu further explained that trucks servicing Dangote Refinery are currently not integrated into the port’s electronic call-up system, a situation he said has contributed to traffic bottlenecks within the corridor.
Responding, Dangote Refinery’s representative, Mr. Jaiyeola Moshood, clarified that the ATC serves as the refinery’s access mechanism for tankers entering its facility.
The ETO management maintained that trucks without an active call-up should not approach the port corridor and should remain in designated waiting areas until they are cleared for entry.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of NUPENG Dangote Refinery, Mr. Ademola Adeshina, acknowledged the need to clear the corridor and pledged to ensure that members comply fully with the established Standard Operating Procedures.
On their part, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) pledged to sensitise their members and support the enforcement of traffic regulations aimed at restoring order on the corridor.
Mr. Anda commended stakeholders for their collective commitment to finding a lasting solution to the gridlock and urged all parties to adopt a hands-on approach in addressing the challenge.
He specifically encouraged Dangote Refinery to fully integrate with the ETO platform, noting that such collaboration would significantly improve traffic management and eliminate the indiscriminate presence of trucks on the access roads.
The Lekki Port Manager also assured stakeholders that engagements would continue with Dangote Refinery’s management to strengthen the coordination of truck movements, stressing that vehicles issued with ATCs should only proceed when authorised to do so.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the agreed measures would restore free traffic flow, enhance operational efficiency and improve safety along the Lekki port corridor, a critical gateway for Nigeria’s growing maritime and industrial activities.
