FG begins two-day clean-up of Apapa, Tin Can port corridors to ease congestion

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), through its Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC), has announced plans to commence a two-day Lagos Port Corridor Clean-Up and Enforcement Exercise aimed at restoring order and improving operational efficiency along the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors.

The exercise, scheduled for May 14 and 15, 2026, forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to improve trade facilitation, strengthen port operations, and enhance Nigeria’s business environment.

In a statement signed by Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, Director-General of PEBEC, the council described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to address longstanding challenges affecting Nigeria’s busiest maritime gateways.

According to the statement, persistent traffic congestion, indiscriminate parking, unauthorised checkpoints, environmental degradation, and uncoordinated activities along port access roads have continued to hamper cargo movement, increase the cost of doing business, and weaken efficiency across the logistics value chain.

“For years, congestion, unauthorised checkpoints, indiscriminate parking, environmental degradation, and uncoordinated activities within the port access routes have negatively impacted cargo movement, increased the cost of doing business, delayed trade operations, and weakened efficiency across the logistics value chain.

“This exercise is designed to address these longstanding challenges through coordinated enforcement and inter-agency collaboration,” the statement read

PEBEC said the clean-up and enforcement operation would focus on improving traffic management, eliminating operational bottlenecks, enhancing regulatory compliance, and restoring sanity within the corridors.

“The exercise represents a coordinated effort to create a more organised, efficient, secure, and investor-friendly operating environment capable of supporting economic growth and trade competitiveness,” the statement noted.

The council added that the exercise aligns with the Federal Government’s broader reform agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve service delivery, reduce the cost of doing business, and position Nigeria as a leading trade and investment destination in Africa.

PEBEC said expected outcomes of the exercise include faster cargo movement, reduction in delays affecting businesses and port users, improved environmental sanitation and safety, removal of illegal structures and unauthorised checkpoints, as well as stronger coordination among regulatory and security agencies operating within the port environment.

The operation will involve several key government agencies and stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Government enforcement agencies, port terminal operators, port unions, and other security and regulatory bodies.

PEBEC emphasised that the exercise is not intended to disrupt legitimate business activities but to ensure a more predictable and efficient environment for freight forwarders, clearing agents, transport operators, traders, and other port users.

The council urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with enforcement officials and comply with lawful directives throughout the duration of the exercise.