A Presidential directive issued on 22 May 2019 mandated the immediate removal of all trucks from bridges and roads within Apapa and all adjoining streets, with the aim of restoring law and order to the Apapa port environs and clearing the chronic gridlock that has long impeded port operations.
Within days of the directive, over 90% compliance was recorded. The Nigerian Navy transferred traffic enforcement duties to the Nigeria Police Force taskforce, and 800 LASTMA and FRSC officials were deployed alongside 300 NPF officers for security. By Saturday 25 May, all major roads and bridges — including Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, Stadium, Ijora, Costain, Orile Iganmu, Breweries, and Oshodi Expressway — had been cleared of articulated vehicles.
The implementation of a revised truck call-up system, jointly developed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators, and the truckers' union, also commenced over the weekend. The system established single-lane movement for vehicles with legitimate port business, created a corridor from Lilypond Terminal for empty containers and export trucks, and directed non-compliant trucks to one of 54 designated trailer parks.
Speaking on the progress, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment and PEBEC Secretary, stated: "We acknowledge the enormity of the assignment of the taskforce, and we are all committed to resolving this issue in line with Mr President's directive. The sheer volume of trucks remains significant, therefore establishing a functional traffic management system will be a work in progress. We applaud the efforts of the traffic and security agencies who have ensured the recent steady progression of trucks towards the port, and all others who are collectively working to implement a lasting solution."
The directive followed an emergency meeting convened and chaired by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at President Muhammadu Buhari's request, attended by key MDA heads including the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, and representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Lagos State, and the NPA. A Presidential Taskforce to be chaired by the Vice President was commissioned with a mandate to restore order within two weeks of its inauguration.
The Taskforce's terms of reference include developing an effective traffic management plan for the entire port area, enforcing the permanent removal of trucks, implementing a functional manual call-up system pending the introduction of an electronic system, and establishing a workable empty container return and export handling policy. Membership includes the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the NPA, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Government through LASTMA, and other relevant agencies. It will be recalled that PEBEC hosted a technical session on the gridlock on 16 April 2019, which re-engaged all stakeholders ahead of the Presidential directive.
