Bayo Akomolafe 
Over 10,000 containers have been moved by rail in the first half of the year 2024 at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), surpassing the 2023 full-year volume of 9,000 containers by 10 per cent.
The Apapa Port Manager, Mr. Charles Okaga, explained that the documentation of vessel operations had now been fully automated, a development that had reduced the time of processing such documents by over 80 per cent.
The port manager noted that before automation, it took about two weeks to process vessel documents as against the current two hours.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the increased exports currently being recorded at the port, saying that more export trade would grow the economy and strengthen the naira.
Okagha said: “We are proud to say that between 2022 and 2024, there has been a tremendous increase in export. For the first time in a long while, we have a positive balance of trade concerning exportation.
Stakeholders, including the Nigerian Customs, have received support in ensuring that port access roads are clear.
“This time last year, we had an average of 40 to 50 container trucks entering the port by road. Today, we have up to 122 trucks carrying around 240 containers into the port.
This is a step forward. Our export has increased; using 2022 as a baseline, our export value in 2024 is projected to be 15 per cent higher than 2022 and 15 per cent higher in 2024 compared to 2023.”
He said that the Apapa Port, which operates 24 hours a day, had improved cargo flow in and out of the ports, noting however, that there were still issues with infrastructure around the port.
He added that contracts for some road portions, from Costain to the Ijora Park area, had been awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works.
