NPA Out to Impound Trucks Parked on Outbound Lane of Apapa Port Access Roads

—AMATO Sends APB to All Truck Drivers

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called on all truck owners to henceforth desist from parking truck on outbound section of Port access roads after exiting Apapa Port.

This is even as the Presidenr of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) Chief Remi Ogungbemi has sent an All Points Bulletin to its members, intimating them of the new directive from NPA.

The message tagged “Important Announcement for All Truckers” dated 27th December 2024, which was sighted by DAILY TREND, noted that “Parking Trucks on outbound section of Creek road and Wharf road in Apapa is not only causing congestion and delay in admittance of trucks in the Port but also obstructs the movement of other roads users and also sabotages the Authority’s effort of ensuring free flow of traffic, seamless evacuation of cargoes to and from the Port.

“Though, parking on outbound lane of the port access roads has been the practice over the years.
However, the rise in the volume of importation/exportation coupled with increased vehicular movements and other human activities around the Port have overstretched the capacity of our roads space infrastructure.

“Thus, we can no longer continue to do doing things with the mentality of old system. We need to manage the roads optimally to avoid causing obstruction on the access roads or for Ports operations.

“Going forward, no truck Driver after exiting the Port should park on outbound lane to:

1. Buy Diesel.

2. Wait for Motorboy.

3. Wait for haulage payment and trip dispatch.

4. Wait for Escort.

5. Wait for Way Bill.

6. Waiting to move at night

7. Wait for demurrage etc.

“The Authority is out to impound any truck found parking on outbound lane of Apapa port access roads. To be forewarned is to be forearmed” the NPA announcement read.

On his part, Chief Remi Ogungbemi has told all truck drivers and owners to

1. Fuel your truck before coming to the Ports

2. Arrange dispatch money for your Driver before coming to the Ports

3. 30 second is more than enough for Escort or Motorboy to join you.

4. Carryout mechanical check on truck before leaving the park to the ports.

5. Address any mechanical fault, payments or any demurrage in your garage, not along access roads after exiting the Port.

6. Finally, readjust your plans to avoid falling victim.