Amidu Arije
Following continued gridlock on Apapa road leading to the ports in Lagos State, the Presidency has issued a directive for the immediate clearing up, restoration of law and order and sanity on the roads with two weeks.
The directive, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, mandated the immediate removal of all trucks from the bridges and roads within Apapa and all adjoining streets leading to the axis.
Akande said that operators of trucks and tankers have also been directed to vacate the Port Access Roads within the next 72 hours.
He said that the directive followed an emergency meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on April 25, 2019.
“The meeting proffered lasting solutions to the gridlock around the Lagos Ports as the traffic congestion has continued to restrict all operations and livelihood in the area,” he said.
Akande added, “Consequently, a Presidential Task Force, chaired by Vice President Osinbajo was established to restore law and order to the area within 2 weeks.
READ ALSO: 2019 Hajj: Group lauds States Pilgrim’s Boards for keeping low fare despite global increase
“The Task Force, which will report directly to the President, has included on its Terms of Reference the development of an efficient and effective management plan for the entire port area traffic, including the cargo, fuel distribution and business district traffic; enforcing the permanent removal of all stationary trucks on the highway, and the development of an effective manual truck call-up system, pending the introduction of the electronic truck call-up system.
“It also includes the implementation of a workable Empty Container Return and Export Container Truck Handling Policy, amongst others.”
Members of the Task Force, he said, included Mr. Kayode Opeifa, a former Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, as the Executive Vice Chairman; a representative of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC); the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
Other members included a special unit of the Nigeria Police Force, to be led by a Commissioner of Police, representatives of the Truck Transport Union, the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other relevant MDAs.
Akande also said that the Nigerian Navy and all other military formations have also been mandated to withdraw from traffic management duties in and around the Apapa axis, while military and paramilitary checkpoints in front of the ports and environs are to be dismantled.
“In addition, LASTMA has been authorised to move into Apapa as the lead traffic management agency, while the NPA is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park A as a truck transit park.
“The directive further mandates compliance by all security personnel and MDAs, while heads of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, and all other security operatives are to ensure their officers’ adherence to the new directives.” he stated.
