Hundreds of heavy duty trucks have remained stuck on roads in Lagos, they await to get access into the Tin Can Island port.
The congestion, crippling operations at the Lagos TinCan port, compelled shipping lines to divert Nigeria-bound cargoes to neighboring ports in Cotonou and Cote D’ Ivoire.
A long-running crisis at the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports Lagos worsened by the pandemic-induced economic slump, lowering productivity and extending the long stays of the vessels.
As port congestion worsens, cost of shipping containers is reported to have risen by 600%.
Nigeria reopened its border with Benin In December 2020, but heavy-goods vehicles are reportedly still not making cross-border trips.
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement came into effect on January 1 but many Nigerian businesses have complained that higher costs make it hard for them to compete.