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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Following the remarkable achievement of free flow of traffic along the Apapa -Tincan ports access spearheaded by the Truck Transit Park (TTP) Ltd,  a case has been made for the renewal of the agency’s contract with the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.
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‎Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, National President, National Association of Government- Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) made the call in Lagos, Thursday. He urged the NPA to promptly renew the contract so as to sustain the free flow of truck movement along the Lagos ports corridor which is receiving commendation from all and sundry.
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‎Speaking at a press briefing to
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‎According to him, TTP has submitted several applications to NPA, including a proposal for an e-Tag system to further streamline truck entry and exit but approvals have not been secured.
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‎“The contract of TTP will expire by next year. They have presented several applications to NPA which (are) still lying on the table of the Authority for approval. One of those things they have presented is the need for the NPA to approve the use of e-Tag in accessing the port and exiting the port but approval hasn’t been given.”
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‎Ezisi placed on record that within two years of operation, via her Eto  digital traffic management system, the TTP has satisfactorily resolved the chaotic traffic gridlock that worked against businesses along the Lagos ports axis.
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‎“We vividly recall with nostalgia the harrowing experiences endured by port operators prior to the arrival of TTP. During that time, business activities were nearly crippled. Many companies were forced to shut down operations and relocate from Apapa, and in many cases, from Lagos entirely”.
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‎”Property and real estate values plummeted. Both the federal and state governments suffered significant revenue losses. Several traffic decongestion task forces and measures were implemented, but the problems persisted.”
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‎He saluted  the ingenuity of the NPA and the former Ministry of Transportation which made what he described as a strategic decision to engage the services of TTP. In less than two years, the positive impact of their digital traffic management operations began to manifest. The once intractable traffic gridlock started to ease, and port operators breathed a sigh of relief.
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‎“Within the period under review, the eye witness account can authoritatively report the positive outcomes of improved traffic management in the Apapa and Tin-Can Island port corridors. This is a direct result of the federal government’s traffic management reform policy aimed at facilitating the smooth flow of freight and logistics operations, ” he said.
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‎He explained that TTP Ltd has processed 2.7 million truck movements through the Eto system, this, reducing the cost of transporting cargo to and from Lagos ports by 65% and slashing truck turnaround time from 2-3 weeks to less than three days, a reason to justify their continued engagement.
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‎In his submission, Dr Increase Uche, former National President of NAGAFF recalled that whereas fewer than 50 trucks could be evacuated daily in the pre-Eto era, now the FMCG and Oil & Gas industries can evacuate over 400 trucks daily. He said TTP’s operations are now impacting positively on trade facilitation.
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‎Delays in the movement of export goods, he recalled, have been drastically reduced. Nigerian exporters are no longer required by overseas buyers to provide performance bonds during sales contracts. Export containers from the hinterlands are now arriving at the ports in a more timely and predictable manner.
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‎“In the real estate sector, property values in Apapa have appreciated significantly. According to our research, the Eto technology has directly created around 225 jobs, and empowered over 500 ancillary workers within the port environment. ”
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‎While celebrating the current strides achieved on the strategic ports access route, NAGAFF stressed the need for sustenance and consolidation in order to avoid a relapse. There must be the political will to monitor TTP and other service providers to ensure the maintenance of high standards at all times.
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‎“The old tradition of failing to build upon progress should be discarded. The government must develop the political will to monitor and ensure that the standards set by service providers like TTP are maintained. Globally, modern ports are developing and tilting towards efficient and effective service delivery to port users to reduce port costs and excessive delays.
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‎“This feat is quite encouraging and also the more reason TTP, an indigenous service provider that has proven Nigeria’s capacity to solve long-standing logistical challenges, deserves continued support and encouragement,” he said.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎ACG Babatunde Olomu, PhD, erstwhile Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command has said that the Command’s transformation under his 15-month leadership reflected teamwork, extra commitment of officers and a strict adherence to the agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
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‎ACG Olomu was spoke at an impressive event at the Command, Monday, when he handed over to Comptroller E.O.A. Osoba in the presence of key stakeholders and members of the press.
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‎In his valedictory address, an elated Olomu explained that under his watch, Apapa Command shattered existing revenue records when it hit its first-ever ₦2 trillion collection—a feat that earned the command special award including the CGC Special Award for Excellence in Revenue Collection. He was also bestowed with the accolade of Overall Best Area Controller.
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‎In addition to these laurels, the Command set new benchmarks in daily revenue collection:
‎– ₦17.9 billion on June 19, 2024,
‎– ₦18.9 billion on March 14, 2025
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‎In August 2025 alone, the command collected ₦214.9 billion using the newly introduced B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, in spite of initial technical challenges. As of September, total revenue for 2025 stands at ₦1.83 trillion, reflecting a 60% of the annual target for the year.
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‎Apapa Command emerged as a central hub for trade modernization, playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic entry into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In July 2024, the command facilitated Nigeria’s first AfCFTA shipment from Apapa Port, followed by another milestone shipment to Kenya in November.
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‎Olomu emphasized the command’s commitment to faster cargo clearance, seamless dispute resolution, and compliance promotion across all stakeholders in the trade ecosystem.
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‎The outgoing CAC reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance stance on smuggling. During his tenure, Apapa recorded 75 seizures, including 62 units of 40ft containers and 13 units of 20ft containers. The intercepted items ranged from fake and expired drugs to controlled substances like codeine and tramadol, as well as Indian hemp, used clothing, and wood.
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‎Olomu’s leadership was marked by an open-door policy and proactive communication with stakeholders. His personal phone line remained accessible for feedback and issue resolution, fostering transparency and trust.
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‎He also extended heartfelt appreciation to sister agencies including DSS, NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, Immigration, Police, and others for their unwavering support.
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‎In his acceptance remarks, the new CAC , Comptroller Osoba, promised to deepen  transparency, integrity and an unwavering focus on excellence which his predecessor championed and got  bountiful results during his tenure. He implored stakeholders to be supportive at all times to enable him succeed.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, Wednesday, showcased  4,841 rounds of ammunition,15 varieties of rifles and two industrial  drones illegally imported into Nigeria. This comes few days after the Command exhibited N3.7 billion worth of expired pharmaceuticals it intercepted in her anti-smuggling efforts.
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‎Unveiling the seizures, the Customs Area Controller , Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu condemned the undying interest of people who have vowed to sabotage the peace and progress of the nation and urged them to have a change of heart in the interest of all.
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‎ The cache of arms and ammunition  concealed inside  bales of used clothing and cartons of spaghetti, he disclosed, were intercepted in Ilara along the  Ogun border while the two industrial drones were seized  around  the Akure- Ore axis in Ondo State. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seized drones even as more arrests are envisaged by the time Customs and the NCCSALW conclude ongoing investigations.
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‎The duty paid value (DPV) of the drones, second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti stand at N377, 110,800.00.
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‎He said that acting on credible intelligence, one of the Unit’s patrol teams, Thursday, August 7, 2025, at approximately 0213hrs, intercepted a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected of conveying prohibited items via the Ilara bush paths near the border in Ogun State. Upon sighting the officers, the driver  of the bus and one passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest.

The illegally -imported arms and ammunitions.

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‎A thorough search of the intercepted vehicle revealed 15 assorted rifles including 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms, one used Mossberg pump action shotgun (made in USA) and 4,841 rounds of ammunition carefully concealed within 2 cartons of Danu Spaghetti, two bales and 1 sack of used clothing.
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‎On the drones, while on a routine patrol, another team made a separate interception of a Volkswagen Sprinter bus suspected to convey drones in a wooden box along the Akure- Ore axis in Ondo State. The arrest occurred at about 0910hrs on August 9, 2025. The drones were without proper documentation .
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‎He later handed over the  intercepted arms and ammunition to the representative of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation.
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‎Comptroller Shuaibu made it clear that  the importation of arms, ammunition, or drones requires valid approval, permits, and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Any deviation from these regulatory requirements will be treated as a deliberate attempt to undermine national security and will be met with swift and decisive action by all relevant security agencies, including the NCS. He stressed that under the leadership of the Customs Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service is ever committed to disrupt the activities of smugglers and other non-state actors so as to safeguard national security.
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‎He commended  the bravery, professionalism and commitment of the FOU ‘A’  officers, whose efforts led to the  interception. The unit, he vowed , remains resolute and vigilant in its mission to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
‎ He called on  Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or shady activities within their communities because such vigilance is critical to enabling law enforcement agencies carry out their duties effectively.
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