The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the enforcement of automated verification for truck entry into ports, eliminating manual checks to curb identity fraud and improve efficiency.
Under the new directive, effective from February 3, 2025, truck operators will no longer be allowed to present manual number plates or Minimum Safety Standards (MSS) stickers at port gates. Instead, all trucks must have their number plates riveted to the vehicle and MSS stickers securely affixed to their windscreens for verification.
According to a notice issued by Truck Transit Parks Limited, NPA’s traffic management partner, the revised entry protocol aims to close loopholes that have enabled identity theft and unauthorized document exchange for port access.
“In line with the recent review of entry procedures for trucks accessing the port, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has approved some modifications to address notable gaps in the existing entry protocols,” the notice stated.
“These changes aim to eliminate entry infractions and tackle issues such as identity theft and the unauthorized exchange of truck documents used to perpetrate port entry fraud.”
The NPA emphasized that manual presentation of number plates and MSS stickers at port gates will no longer be accepted from the effective date.
Truck operators and stakeholders in the port ecosystem have been advised to comply strictly, as violations will attract severe sanctions.
The policy shift, according to the NPA, is an effort to modernize port operations and reduce congestion caused by inefficient manual processes.
Truck owners and logistics operators are urged to update their vehicles to meet the new compliance standards before the deadline
to avoid disruptions.
