Export operations at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) have regained stability as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) intensifies 24-hour traffic oversight to mitigate disruptions caused by ongoing repairs on the Marine Bridge.
The Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC) confirmed that the NPA's swift intervention prevented what could have become a major supply-chain setback for exporters—particularly SMEs reliant on timely deliveries for agro-exports and manufactured goods.
The Marine Bridge rehabilitation, handled by the Federal Ministry of Works, had recently triggered severe gridlock along the Ijora–Apapa corridor, trapping cargo trucks for hours. With the route serving as one of the country's busiest gateways for non-oil exports, operators feared the delays could lead to missed vessel windows, higher demurrage, and eroded profit margins for smaller exporters.
LASTCOC Chairman, Shittu Lukmon, said the NPA's round-the-clock command presence along the port corridor has restored order and stabilized truck movements. He noted that continuous engagement from the Apapa Port Manager and his team has eased pressure at Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), where export-bound cargoes are received and processed.
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According to Lukmon, the improved traffic flow has enhanced truck turnaround time, reduced spillover queues, and protected cargo processing timelines—factors that directly affect logistics costs for SMEs in manufacturing and agriculture.
He credited the Apapa Port Manager's hands-on leadership for the visible improvements, noting that increased physical oversight has also improved driver discipline and reduced the disorderly movements that typically worsen congestion during infrastructural repairs.
With Marine Bridge rehabilitation still ongoing, exporters say the NPA's sustained oversight is crucial for maintaining efficiency in Lagos' export logistics chain. Many SME exporters have welcomed the proactive management approach, saying it has helped safeguard their revenue at a time when Nigeria is actively pushing to scale up non-oil exports.
LASTCOC is calling for continued collaboration between the NPA, trucking unions, and terminal operators to ensure the recent gains are not reversed as construction continues.
