Alarming traffic gridlock at Apapa Port

Not long ago, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode appealed to the Federal Government to direct the contractor handling construction of the container trailer park and the Port link road in Apapa to return to site. In addition, he gave a 90-day ultimatum to the 57 tank farm owners in the area to build loading bays for their trucks or would be compelled to shut down operations.
Ambode’s plea and ultimatum is coming against the background that a lack of access road is responsible for the perennial traffic gridlock in the Apapa port area.  We admit that lack of loading bays and parking lots is forcing petroleum tankers to park along the road, leading to the traffic jam usually experienced in the axis.
It is imperative to note that Apapa port is not only the country’s busiest, but more so the largest with more than 70 percent of maritime borne cargoes passing through it. Due to the   importance and intense economic activities going on there, all manner of tankers, trucks, trailers and lorries arrive here for evacuation of goods for onward delivery to other parts of Nigeria. A situation where more than 1,000 trucks enter Lagos daily to lift petroleum products to various parts of the country is a clear invitation to traffic chaos.
Unfortunately, the poor state of the roads and bridges, which have been neglected over the past two decades, is creating a nightmarish experience for those commuting to work or living in Apapa. The incessant gridlock has shut all economic and other activities in Apapa, besides inflicting untold hardship on residents and businesses in the area.
That is why we join the Lagos State governor in calling on tank farm owners to relocate in order to create access for road users while ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Unfortunately, the horrible state of the road is responsible for the unwholesome activities of hoodlums who take advantage of the confusion to rob commuters and snatch vehicles.  Recently, the Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) lamented that the nation was losing more than N5 billion daily due to the chaotic state of affairs at the Apapa port.
Much as we consider the gridlock at the Apapa port as an issue of topmost importance, it is imperative to state that all past administrations lacked any comprehensive policy to ameliorate the situation. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Federal Government, should as a matter of urgency, commence the reactivation of rail lines at Apapa ports for evacuation of petroleum products.
Moreover, other ports such as Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri should be dredged and developed to allow large ocean going vessels to berth there. That would help ease the pressure on the Apapa Port.  Before then, it is advisable that the governor immediately set up a task force to clear the road of heavy duty and articulated trucks. In addition, he must stick to the 90-day ultimatum for the relocation of tank farms if there is any hope of redeeming the near hopeless situation at Tin Can port. In spite of this, the Federal Government should intervene and end the trauma motorists and residents are facing in Apapa axis.