Three truck drivers tested positive for alcohol during a random breathalyser exercise conducted by APM Terminals Apapa and the Nigerian Ports Authority at the entrance of the Apapa port. The tests were carried out on 30 truck drivers operating as external contractors, part of a new screening initiative targeting substance abuse among container haulage operators. APM Terminals, the largest container terminal in Nigeria, stated the move aims to address ongoing safety concerns linked to impaired driving within port premises. Despite recording 636 days without a Lost Time Injury, the terminal acknowledged that risks persist due to third-party operators beyond its direct control.
Adebowale Ibrahim, Apapa port manager, said drivers must be fully alert when handling heavy-duty trucks, adding that regular testing would serve as a deterrent. Kamal Alhraishat, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, confirmed the campaign now includes external truck drivers, not just terminal employees. The exercise was supported by Port Police and Port Health Services, though no information was given about penalties for failed tests or plans to expand the programme to other terminals in Lagos Port. Previous incidents involving suspected drunk drivers in port areas have led to injuries and safety alerts, prompting increased scrutiny.
APM Terminals Apapa claims progress in port safety while admitting it cannot control the conduct of external truck drivers, exposing a gap between internal records and external risks. The terminal recorded 636 days without a Lost Time Injury, yet the presence of three drunk drivers in a sample of 30 suggests enforcement remains inconsistent. If random checks are not scaled up and paired with clear penalties, the safety gains could be undermined by preventable human error. The drivers found impaired were moving containers in and out of the terminal, meaning their actions directly threatened port operations and public safety.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
