Truckers To Protest Against APM Terminals As Traffic Congestion Hits Apapa Port

—Urges NPA to Resolve Call-Up System Abuse, Rising Extortions At Checkpoints
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), led by Lagos State Chairman Alhaji Lukman Shittu Zangalo, has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to address a series of challenges disrupting port operations and traffic flow in Apapa.
In a letter signed by Zangalo and made available to DAILY TREND on Sunday, AMATO highlights the resurgence of traffic gridlock, exploitation by traffic controllers, and operational inefficiencies, particularly pointing to slowdowns at the APM Terminals (APMT) as a primary cause.
According to AMATO, the slow pace of APMT operations has caused trucks released from e-call-up pregates to spend up to five days on the road before accessing the terminal.
This delay has allegedly given traffic controllers an opportunity to demand excessive fees from truck drivers who want to use express lanes. Drivers unable to afford these fees are forced to wait in line, worsening the traffic backlog for others behind them.
AMATO also noted an emerging trend where trucks with direct evacuation call-ups bypass e-call-up procedures and directly access the port, contributing to congestion on Apapa’s access roads.
This bypass practice, AMATO warns, could undermine the entire e-call-up system, leading to further congestion and the return of a severe gridlock scenario previously seen in the Apapa and Tin Can corridors.
“Drivers stranded at Lillypond are threatening to protest over job losses and extended wait times, while other trucks gain direct access to the ports,” Zangalo said.
The letter further highlighted reports of trucks passing checkpoints without call-ups, as well as vehicles displaying NPA stickers that do not match their registration information.
AMATO has urged the NPA to address APMT’s inefficiencies, eliminate direct call-up practices, and curb misconduct by traffic controllers.
Recommendations include implementing electronic tags, terminal access barriers, and automated truck scheduling systems. These steps, according to AMATO, are essential to preserving traffic order and supporting seamless cargo movement in Apapa.
“If there is no improvement in APMT efficiency and the traffic situation within the next few days, we will have no choice but to protest. Enough is enough,” Zangalo stated in closing.