By Ewrhujakpor Godfrey Bivbere
Harboursandport.com: Lagos, Nigeria - June 16, 2026: Following a report published by Harboursandport.com on the delay of a container-laden train heading into Apapa Port through Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited, ABTL, the terminal has cleared the rail line within its operational area.
When Harboursandport.com visited the terminal recently, the rail tracks—previously used as parking space for trucks—had been cleared. From the entry gate through to the exit, no trucks were seen parked on the rail line, unlike several weeks earlier before the special report.
When contacted, the Managing Director of ABTL, Festus Omotoyibo, directed inquiries to Remi Akindele, the Terminal Manager. Akindele explained that while the operational process had not changed, there had been slight improvements.
According to him, “There were no trucks on the track when Harboursandport.com wrote that report. When trucks are transiting, it is difficult to keep them off the rail, but invariably they will cross the rail line when moving out of the terminal.
"That was what you saw at that time. What we have been doing before is what we are still doing. Our parking area for trucks is about one and a half to two meters away from the rail line.
"When trucks are transiting, we always tell the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC to inform us when their trains are coming so that those transiting trucks can park, allowing trains to pass freely.”
He concluded that while the process remains the same, improvements have been made to ensure smoother operations.
Speaking on the development, the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, emphasised that safety standards must be maintained across all terminals within the port, with management conducting regular inspections.
Lawal described the earlier report as unfortunate, clarifying that standard procedure dictates that when two trains are scheduled, one enters while the other waits until the first completes operations before proceeding.
“Safety is very key for us, and we will not jeopardize that. All terminals are trying to maintain the safety agreements contained in their concession contracts. We also conduct constant monitoring to ensure compliance,” Lawal said.
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