Lagos ports face vessel surge

• State seeks urgent Fed Govt action

As 23 vessels carrying petroleum products, food and industrial inputs head for Lagos ports between December 29 and 31, fresh concerns have emerged over the failing Apapa Bridge and port access roads, with the Lagos State Government warning that a collapse could cripple port operations and disrupt the national economy.

Shipping data released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) show that Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports are preparing for a surge in maritime traffic at the year-end, even as road infrastructure within the port corridor remains under severe strain.

In its latest Shipping Position publication, the NPA disclosed that the incoming vessels are laden with buck wheat, bulk fertiliser, crude oil, containers, diesel, fuel oil, bulk urea, aviation fuel and petrol. Three of the vessels have already arrived and are waiting to berth with bulk urea, crude oil and aviation fuel.

The authority further noted that about 20 ships are currently alongside the ports, discharging consignments that include general cargo, bulk sugar, fresh fish, base oil, bulk gas, soya beans, containers, aviation fuel and petrol – highlighting sustained cargo throughput at the country’s busiest maritime hub.

However, the anticipated increase in cargo evacuation has reignited concerns over the structural integrity of Apapa Bridge and surrounding port roads, which remain the primary evacuation routes for petroleum tankers, container trucks and port-bound traffic.

Briefing newsmen in the state, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation and Logistics, Adekoya Hassan, described Apapa as a critical artery of Nigeria’s economy, warning that the volume of outbound truck traffic poses a serious risk to the bridge.

“We are concerned about the outbound heavy-duty truck traffic from this terminal. If this road is fixed 10 times, we’ll still have the same result, which is collapse. It is the only exit road from Apapa, Lagos port, and the road here has been under construction for a while,” he said.

Hassan cautioned that any structural failure would have severe consequences for port operations and the broader economy.

“If the minister does not pay any attention to this road, perhaps if this road collapses any moment from now, it will have a great effect on the nation’s ports here. So, we are calling on the minister to put the road in order,” he stated.

Hassan called on the Ministry of Works to prioritise Apapa while acknowledging current federal infrastructure projects across the country.

“While appreciating the government’s efforts to upgrade infrastructure nationwide, we urge them to prioritise the Apapa ports, a crucial gateway to our economy. The roads are in dire need of repairs and maintenance to ensure efficient operations. We look forward to seeing improvements in this critical area,” he added.

The deteriorating road conditions are already taking a toll on port users, particularly truck operators responsible for evacuating cargo from the terminals.

Chairman of Apapa Truck Cargoes, Saheed Mahmoud, on his part, said the road has become a danger zone for drivers and vehicles.

“This road is causing damage to our trucks. When coming from Apapa, once you get to this road, accidents occur. Some trucks fall with their cargo here. We are pleading with the Federal Government to help with repairs,” Mahmoud said.

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With dozens of vessels discharging petroleum products and essential commodities at Lagos ports, stakeholders warn that failure to urgently fix the Apapa Bridge and port access roads could worsen congestion, increase accident risks and undermine the efficiency gains recorded at the ports in recent years.