Lagos State government has barred further inflow of articulated trucks and trailers from other states into Lagos pending the resolution the current traffic gridlock crisis on Ikorodu road, Funsho William Avenue (Western Avenue) Ijora and Apapa.
For several months now, petroleum tankers and trailers from other states making their way into Apapa to evacuate petroleum products and imported goods have taken over the stretch of Funsho William Avenue, Eko bridge, Ijora-Wharf road, subjecting other road users to untold hardship in traffic gridlock.
The situation has been compounded by the ongoing rehabilitation of parts of Ijora-Wharf road, forcing thousands of motorists and commuters headed to Apapa, Ijora and Lagos Island to spend several hours in traffic. Over 80 percent of petroleum products consumed locally is imported and discharged in Apapa, Lagos, which hosts two of Nigeria’s busiest seaports.
Olarenwaju Elegushi, acting commissioner for transportation in Lagos, at a news conference today, said it has become necessary to temporarily restrict the trucks from entering to enable the government find a solution to the traffic menace.
He said findings by the state showed that the lockdown is a direct result of the challenges being faced by the operators of the ports which has made it impossible for them to load the articulated vehicles/trailers that have come from the hinterland to evacuate imported items from the ports.
“As we intensify our consultations with the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the relevant transport unions like tank farm owners association, maritime truck owners and oil marketers, we appeal to the owners and operators of the articulated vehicles/trailers, petroleum tankers to please stay away from Lagos for now pending the resolution of the challenge which we believe will soon be over. They are advised to park at Ogere trailer park and such other parks outside the state.
Consequently, relevant government agencies like LASTMA and LASEMA and the RRS will be stationed at key gateways into Lagos state to ensure compliance while we use the whole of the weekend to restore order and sanity on the roads already affected by this available logjam,” Elegushi said.
JOSHUA BASSEY
