APAPA: Middle East crisis has caused traffic gridlock to return, says NSC

By Efe Onodjae

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has blamed the recent increase in traffic congestion and operational delays along the Apapa port corridor on disruptions in the global supply chain caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The Council’s statement comes as stakeholders grow concerned about the return of gridlock on the Mile 2‑Apapa Expressway, where truck queues, delayed cargo evacuation and port congestion have resulted in losses for motorists and businesses.

While maritime operators, truckers and freight forwarders have cited shipping lines, congested shipping terminals and delays in the evacuation of empty containers as causes of the traffic build‑up, the NSC says the issue must also be viewed in the context of broader disruptions to global shipping and logistics stemming from tensions in the Middle East.

Responding to Vanguard enquiries via WhatsApp, Adaora Nwonu, Deputy Director of Regulatory Services at the NSC, acknowledged the concerns raised by stakeholders and noted that the delays have significant implications for trade and supply chain efficiency.

She said: “The concerns as expressed above are appreciable considering the spiral effect of these delays. These congestions arose and have been a feature since the Middle East crisis.”

“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is engaging with the service providers on this development, which, to a large extent, has been caused by the Middle East crisis.”

“There is a backlog in the outbound clearance of cargo, as a result of this, which is being managed so far to ensure there are minimal disruptions to the chain.”

“We expect that as mediation and resolution talks progress, transit times would be cut significantly and immediately alleviate the global supply chain.”

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