Apapa Gridlock returns as e-Call-Up system crashes

Apapa gridlock

Operators and stakeholders at the Lagos Port have expressed concerns over the resurgence of severe gridlock in the Apapa Port area, following what they called the Electronic Call-Up system’s breakdown due to racketeering and extortion at various checkpoints by touts and the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.The concerned stakeholders, who have continued to complain daily, particularly along the Ijora-Apapa Port access roads, attributed the situation to the “uncontrolled and biased system” for truck passage into the port, occasioned by the call-up racketeering, shunning of rules, and policy inconsistencies that have crippled commercial activities.

Recall that a series of initiatives had been deployed by both the Federal and Lagos Governments, respectively, to resolve the Apapa gridlock.

The e-call-up system was introduced as a major initiative to permanently solve the gridlock on roads through effective vehicular movement electronically.

Some of the previous initiatives included the creation of truck parks, a special truck lane, restricting truck movements to a specified time zone, creating special tasks, and intervention by Nigerian Security Forces. Available evidence, however, revealed that the initiatives have failed to address the problem, despite their good intentions.

The latest gridlock has crippled commercial and private activities at the ports, leading to the breakdown of law and order in the axis.

Checks by Vanguard on Friday, October 23, 2025, witnessed a chaotic gridlock caused by a long queue of trucks that extended beyond the Marine Bridge.

The gridlock, coupled with the ongoing rehabilitation work on Marine Bridge, could be seen to stretch from NPA to the Sifax end on a daily basis, thereby bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.

Some union members and touts, wearing green vests, were seen opposite the Area B Police Command, blocking the access road, apparently, collecting the usual ticket fee from truckers.