The Managing Director of Truck Transit Park Limited (TTP), Mr. Jamal Onwubuariri, has raised concerns over poor port facilities, inadequate road infrastructure, and persistent border delays, which he said are hindering efficient cargo transportation in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Onwubuariri made this known at the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) summit held in Lagos, themed “Driving the Transport Logistics Value Chains for Economic Growth.”
He explained that Nigeria’s road and port infrastructure, as well as technology deployment, are insufficient to handle the growing volume of cargo moving through the country.
“In July, I took a 6,000km road trip from Nigeria to Liberia to see firsthand the challenges and opportunities within our transport infrastructure. The roads we have, both in Nigeria and across West Africa, are not sufficient for the level of traffic. Similarly, our ports lack the infrastructure and technology required to manage cargo efficiently,” he said.
According to him, Nigerian truck drivers transporting perishable goods such as tomatoes, yams, and onions to ports in Tema or Abidjan spend two to three weeks on the road, without proper rest stops or facilities. This, he said, affects their health, family life, and overall productivity.
Onwubuariri stressed that technology-driven solutions could help reduce border delays and improve cargo handling at ports. He called for increased investment in transport infrastructure, noting that the government alone cannot bear the burden.
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“There is a lot of money floating both formally and informally. Private companies can invest in rest areas, technology, and logistics infrastructure to drive trade and investment in the country,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr. Francis Brown of Dangote Industries Limited highlighted the company’s investment in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks, saying it will lower transport costs, enhance fuel distribution nationwide, and reduce consumer burdens.
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