Business
Bad road, multiple checkpoints compounding Apapa gridlock, says NPA MD
Acting Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, has lamented the agonising gridlock on the Apapa road leading to the ports, which has lingered despite various measures made to address the problem.
Although he said the electronic call-up (of trucks) introduced by the authority had brought some sanity into the system, he noted that bad Tin Can road and multiple checkpoints were frustrating the effort.
Bello-Koko, who spoke with newsmen in Lagos, said the gridlock had defied solutions “for more than 10 years now.”
He said, “The Tin Can corridor is bad. We have had discussions with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that the construction company deploys its gadgets to start construction around that area.
“We have also complained about multiple checkpoints which we have tried to reduce because it is bringing a lot of extortions and creating a lot of traffic.
“The final issue is the stakeholders themselves; they need to buy into this. I keep saying that the worst of ETO is better than the best of the last system that we were using.”
He said as much as priority should be given to the export cargo, the gridlock at Apapa area had made this a difficult task.
He said, “One of the first executive actions I took when I was appointed was to visit the Tin Can Apapa corridor to ensure that the right things are done and the right infrastructure is deployed. We are getting there gradually.
“We have put in some measures to minimise the congestion in and around the ports. NPA was using a manual manifest and call-up system, which was not very effective because of human interference. We have brought in ETO (electronic call-up system) to ensure smooth inward and outward movement of cargo from the port.”
The NPA boss also said, “The idea was to ensure that all trucks coming in are supposed to move from trailer parks to Lilly Ponds than to the port.
“They were supposed to have deployed some physical and electronic infrastructure but that was not done. When I was appointed, I gave them an ultimatum to ensure that those items were installed as quickly as possible. I can assure you today that there has been more deployment of assets by TTP.
“I also requested that we need to sit down and reappraise what they have achieved. incidentally. ETO was 90 days old when I resumed. We analyzed to see where we are, what has been achieved and we identified where the gaps were. So, what I did was push for immediate implementation of the agreement between us and TTP.”
Bello-Koko also spoke on enforcement, adding, “We liaised with the Lagos State Government to ensure that we have the right security operatives on the ground.
“We have also collaborated with Lagos State Government through Lagos State Transport Management Agency, LASMA, which has brought sanity to the system.
“Because of our intense focus, there is improvement. There is a better flow of traffic. But let me finally say that the major hindrance to ETO is the road.
He said some people were sabotaging the NPA’s efforts, saying, “What we have observed is interference by government agencies and the stakeholders themselves.
“Rather than pay the ETO ticket, they find a way to bring in military men. You find out that at night, military men escort vehicles which is sabotage.
“The stakeholders need to buy into the ETO system. We have had town hall meetings with stakeholders to let them understand that this is a system that we are not going to change. The world has gone automated, so we need to reduce human interference.”
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Business
Transport Logistics Key to Nigeria’s Growth, Says TCAN, Unveils 2026 Summit
Transport Logistics Key to Nigeria’s Growth, Says TCAN, Unveils 2026 Summit
The Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) has announced plans to honour outstanding contributors to the growth of Nigeria’s transport sector at its 2026 Annual Transport Summit scheduled for September 24, 2026.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Economic Growth Through Transportation Logistics,” will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, Lagos, and is expected to bring together major stakeholders across the transportation value chain, including aviation, maritime, rail, road transport and logistics services, as well as policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and industry leaders.
In a statement, TCAN disclosed that the event would feature the presentation of Champions of Transport Industry Development (CoTID) awards to government agencies, state governments and private-sector operators that have made significant contributions to advancing Nigeria’s transportation ecosystem.
According to the association, the awards are designed to recognise organisations and institutions whose efforts have helped improve transport infrastructure, logistics efficiency and service delivery across the country.
TCAN Chairman, Tola Adenubi, said transportation logistics remains a critical driver of economic development, stressing that individuals, agencies and organisations making meaningful contributions to the sector deserve recognition.
“From cargo handling at airports and seaports to freight movement on inland waterways and last-mile delivery systems, the efficiency of Nigeria’s logistics network has a direct impact on the competitiveness and growth of the national economy,” Adenubi said.
He noted that the summit would provide a platform for stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to improving the sector through digital transformation, infrastructure financing, public-private partnerships and policy reforms.
Also speaking, Chairman of the 2026 Summit Planning Committee, Suleiman Idris, said the gathering would feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions aimed at evaluating the current state of Nigeria’s transportation logistics framework.
He explained that participants would identify key challenges limiting efficient cargo and passenger movement, assess the role of multimodal transport integration in economic expansion, and examine emerging investment opportunities within the logistics and supply chain industry.
According to Idris, experts and industry leaders at the summit will also develop practical policy recommendations aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global logistics market.
Over the years, the TCAN Annual Transport Summit has evolved into one of the industry’s leading platforms for engagement between government agencies, transport operators and other stakeholders.
The forum has continued to facilitate policy dialogue, promote accountability and support the development of a more efficient and sustainable transportation sector in Nigeria.
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Auto
Transport Expert Segun Musa to Chair 12th Nigeria Transport Lecture
Transport Expert Segun Musa to Chair 12th Nigeria Transport Lecture
Renowned transport and logistics expert, Dr. Segun Musa, has been named chairman of the 12th edition of the Nigeria Transport Lecture scheduled to hold in Lagos on June 18, 2026.
Organised by Transport Day newspaper, this year’s lecture will focus on the theme, “Multi-modal Transportation Safety in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Contribution to National Growth.”
Musa, Chairman and Managing Director of Widescope Logistics International, is widely respected for his extensive experience in transportation, logistics and supply chain management spanning several decades.
The event will also feature a keynote presentation by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Kingsley Onyekachi Igwe.
Scheduled to take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, the lecture is expected to attract key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to deliberate on critical safety issues, policy reforms and strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s multi-modal transportation network.
Other notable speakers include the National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and the Dean of the School of Transportation and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ogochukwu Ugboma.
Over the years, the Nigeria Transport Lecture has evolved into a leading industry platform, bringing together policymakers, regulators, academics and business leaders to discuss solutions to challenges confronting the transport and logistics sector.
Previous editions have featured distinguished personalities such as former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa; and Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, among others.
Ahead of the gathering, the Editor of Transport Day Media, Mr. Frank Kintum, said the annual lecture has become an important platform for industry stakeholders to examine emerging issues and develop practical solutions for the transport sector.
He noted that this year’s focus on multi-modal transportation safety was informed by the increasing integration of road, rail, maritime and air transport systems, stressing that safety must remain at the centre of efforts to modernise the sector.
“As governments continue to invest in transport infrastructure and interconnectivity, safety cannot be treated as an afterthought. The success and sustainability of these investments depend largely on how effectively safety concerns are addressed across all modes of transport,” Kintum stated.
He further explained that the lecture forms part of Transport Day Media’s broader mission to encourage policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and industry collaboration aimed at building a safer, more efficient and globally competitive transport and logistics ecosystem in Nigeria and the wider African region.
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Business
NERC Orders Compensation for Band A Customers Over Power Supply Shortfalls
NERC Orders Compensation for Band A Customers Over Power Supply Shortfalls
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a special compensation package for eligible Band A electricity customers affected by power supply shortfalls between February and March 2026.
The regulator announced the measure in a public notice issued on Thursday, citing widespread generation constraints that prevented electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) from meeting the minimum service levels promised to some Band A customers during the period.
According to NERC, the disruptions were largely triggered by inadequate gas supply as well as vandalism of critical gas and transmission infrastructure, factors it said were beyond the control of the DisCos.
Under the directive, Band A feeders that maintained an average daily supply of between 18 and 20 hours will continue to receive compensation under the existing framework contained in Addendum No. NERC/2024/003, covering both Maximum Demand (MD) and Non-Maximum Demand (Non-MD) customers.
For feeders that recorded less than 18 hours of daily electricity supply, NERC ruled that they would not be downgraded during the affected period.
Instead, eligible Non-MD customers will receive compensation equivalent to 20 per cent of the approved February 2026 energy cap for their feeders, while MD customers will receive credits equal to 20 per cent of the average energy billed per MD customer in February 2026.
The commission said prepaid customers would receive the compensation through energy token credits, while postpaid customers would benefit through adjustments to their electricity bills.
NERC directed all DisCos to complete compensation for February 2026 by May 31, 2026, and for March 2026 no later than June 30, 2026.
The regulator also barred DisCos from using the compensation to offset outstanding customer debts and instructed them to clearly communicate the value and period of the credits granted to beneficiaries.
Reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, NERC said it would continue to monitor implementation of the directive and verify compliance across the industry to ensure that all eligible customers receive the compensation due to them.
The commission added that the intervention is aimed at safeguarding consumer interests while supporting the stability and long-term sustainability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
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