By Onu Okorie
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have agreed to strengthen their partnership to improve the ease of doing business.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, following a strategic engagement at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Marina, Lagos. The meeting brought together NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and ANLCA’s national leadership, led by National President Chief Emenike Nwokeoji.
Dr. Dantsoho commended the Port Managers of Apapa and Tin Can Island for their commitment to efficiency, noting that the recent ranking of both ports among the World Bank’s Top 20 Most Improved Ports Globally reflects deliberate reforms in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the achievement also aligns with Nigeria’s expanding influence in global maritime governance, following the country’s emergence as the first President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President for Africa in the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
“This global recognition is not accidental; it is the direct result of our strategic and intentional mapping of port processes and our relentless pursuit of excellence. This achievement is further reinforced by Nigeria’s recent diplomatic successes in the maritime sector,” Dr. Dantsoho stated.
A key focus of the engagement was the Electronic Call-Up System, popularly known as Eto, which regulates truck movement in and out of the Apapa and Tin Can ports. Dr. Dantsoho acknowledged that while the pilot scheme has met its initial objectives, rising trade volumes now demand a more robust framework to permanently eliminate gridlock.
“Lagos remains a vital commercial hub for West Africa. To sustain this status, we must aggressively pursue port modernization. Much of our infrastructure is aging and requires comprehensive upgrades to meet international standards, deploy modern cargo-handling equipment, and boost national revenue,” he added.