Lagos, Nigeria – The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) announced that it will launch a two‑day clean‑up and enforcement operation along the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors on 14‑15 May 2026. The initiative, overseen by PEBEC’s Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC), is intended to restore order to the nation’s busiest maritime gateways and to accelerate the Federal Government’s broader agenda of improving trade facilitation, transparency and investor confidence.
In a statement released by PEBEC Director‑General Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, the council said the exercise will target a range of long‑standing problems that have plagued the corridors, including chronic traffic congestion, illegal checkpoints, indiscriminate truck parking, environmental degradation and other unregulated activities that have raised the cost of doing business and delayed cargo movement.
“The operation is a concrete step toward a more efficient, secure and business‑friendly port environment,” Audu said. “By removing illegal structures, clearing obstructed roadways and tightening enforcement, we aim to cut delays, improve traffic flow and enhance sanitation for all port users.”
The clean‑up will be a coordinated effort involving the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Government, terminal operators, relevant unions and other security and regulatory bodies. Participants are expected to dismantle unauthorized checkpoints, enforce parking regulations, and clear debris and waste that have accumulated along the access roads.
Stakeholders have welcomed the move. A senior official at the Nigerian Ports Authority, who asked to remain anonymous, described the corridors as “critical logistics arteries” and said that the operation could reduce turnaround times for vessels and trucks alike. Representatives of the Lagos State Union of Transport Operators also expressed optimism, noting that smoother traffic would benefit both formal and informal market participants.
Beyond immediate traffic improvements, PEBEC highlighted the environmental benefits of the clean‑up. The removal of illegal dumping sites and the enforcement of proper waste‑management practices are expected to curb pollution in the densely populated port districts, contributing to a healthier urban environment.
The council said the exercise will also serve as a platform to deepen collaboration among the various agencies that operate within the port ecosystem. By aligning enforcement actions and sharing intelligence, the participants hope to create a more cohesive security framework that can deter future illegal activities.
If successful, the May operation could become a template for similar interventions at other Nigerian ports, reinforcing the government’s commitment to modernising the country’s trade infrastructure. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the short‑term clean‑up translates into lasting improvements in cargo handling efficiency, cost reductions for importers and exporters, and a more attractive investment climate for the maritime sector.
