Lagos Govt Identifies Alternative Seaports as Solution to Apapa Gridlock
* Describes NPA e-call up system for trucks as failure
The Lagos state government Tuesday said the only alternative to the Apapa gridlock was construction of other seaports in the state.
The state government said this was because every effort made to address the gridlock has failed.
Speaking during a ministerial press briefing, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, said the electronic call up system has failed to address the gridlock in Apapa.
He said, “Sequel to the taking over of Apapa Traffic Management and control from the Presidential Task Team, the state government set up the Apapa Special Traffic Management and Compliance Enforcement Team, headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Toyin Fayinka, to restore sanity and socio-economic prosperity to Apapa and environs.
“We have partnered with the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, in the introduction of an e-Call-Up system for truck access into the ports, collaborated with NPA in the establishment of eight truck parks (holding bays) in different locations, across the state, to help get trailers off the road.
“We initiated the expansion of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ABAT, Truck Park from 12 hectares to 31 hectares to increase the capacity of the park and accommodate more trucks in the Apapa area.
“The lasting solution to Apapa gridlock is to have other seaports, that is why the Lagos State Government is constructing the Lekki Deep Seaports which is expected to be ready in 18 months with another one in Badagry as well as the development of rail and water transportation in the state, so when these projects are completed, it will serve as relief to Apapa gridlock permanently.
“The state government will not condone any fraudulent act in the system and we are determined to deal squarely with saboteurs as the governor has repeatedly assured on bringing back sanity to Apapa. “However, the situation in Apapa is a work in progress, gradually we shall get there.”
The Lagos state government Tuesday said the only alternative to the Apapa gridlock was construction of other seaports in the state.
The state government said this was because every effort made to address the gridlock has failed.
Speaking during a ministerial press briefing, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, said the electronic call up system has failed to address the gridlock in Apapa.
He said, “Sequel to the taking over of Apapa Traffic Management and control from the Presidential Task Team, the state government set up the Apapa Special Traffic Management and Compliance Enforcement Team, headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Toyin Fayinka, to restore sanity and socio-economic prosperity to Apapa and environs.
“We have partnered with the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, in the introduction of an e-Call-Up system for truck access into the ports, collaborated with NPA in the establishment of eight truck parks (holding bays) in different locations, across the state, to help get trailers off the road.
“We initiated the expansion of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ABAT, Truck Park from 12 hectares to 31 hectares to increase the capacity of the park and accommodate more trucks in the Apapa area.
“The lasting solution to Apapa gridlock is to have other seaports, that is why the Lagos State Government is constructing the Lekki Deep Seaports which is expected to be ready in 18 months with another one in Badagry as well as the development of rail and water transportation in the state, so when these projects are completed, it will serve as relief to Apapa gridlock permanently.
“The state government will not condone any fraudulent act in the system and we are determined to deal squarely with saboteurs as the governor has repeatedly assured on bringing back sanity to Apapa. “However, the situation in Apapa is a work in progress, gradually we shall get there.”
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