Evaluating the Impact of Barging Activity on Road Decongestion in Apapa Lagos Nigeria

A Case Study of AP Moller Terminal Ltd

Abstract

The impact of barge transport in the evacuation of port cargoes from the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa in Lagos Nigeria is examined. Traffic gridlock extending from port congestion had made life difficult for inhabitants and users of the port city since the mid-1990s, especially when petrol tanker trucks began to rely on direct loading of refined petroleum products from the port and the petrol tank farms located all over the city. Despite the predominance of waterways, inland waterway transportation had not been well developed leading to intense traffic and commuter problems. Primary and secondary sources of data were used with quantitative and qualitative analytical methodology and analysis of variance (ANOVA) modelling. The findings include the substantial difference made by barges in the transfer of containers to various parts of the Lagos which demonstrably removed many lorries and trucks from the overstretched roads. The conclusion analyzed the impact of a systematic introduction of full barging services in the sea trade of the country and port city dwellers especially.