Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has blamed the
persistent gridlock in Apapa and environs on corruption and human
factors in operation at the axis despite series of interventions by
the government.
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
![image](/2021/05/lawp.jpg")
Sanwo-Olu, however, called for the sacking and redeployment of
some officials operating in the axis by relevant authorities in
order to have requisite solution and restoration of sanity,
discipline in the area.
![image](/2021/05/NBASBL2021.jpg")
Sanwo-Olu, made the remarks while appearing on an early morning
Television Show in Lagos, on Monday, with panelists, led by Dr,
Rueben Abati, with the highlight on the second anniversary of his
administration as well as achievements and State of the Nation.
According to him, “Electronic -call up system for container
operation in Apapa was meant to restore sanity in the areas
surrounding it. But there are operational issues as to why the
system is not working fine. And Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and
its stakeholders will have to fix this.
“The roads are not also good to go, some are under construction,
a lot of corruption is going on in Apapa. We will ask the Inspector
General of Police to change all policemen in the area as well as
NPA and make them examples. Heads must roll over persistent
gridlock in Apapa if we must-have a solution to it.
“Apapa port is overstretched, and we need to have others. We are
planning alternative ports and we are doing that with the Lekki and
Badagry seaports. The trailers/tanker drivers are not captured in
the e-call up system, and they make up 65-70 percent of traffic in
and around Apapa ports.
“But they will always threaten to strike the moment you tell
them to obey simple rules and nobody wants to hear of their strike.
But we will have the conversation because you cannot be a law unto
yourselves.
“You must have enough room to park your trailers/tankers inside
your facility and if you don’t have, you cannot bring them into
Apapa.”
Sanwo-Olu said NPA and the Lagos State government have both gone
back to the drawing board to restrategize on how to subdue the
intractable gridlock in the area.
Recall that the management of NPA led by its Acting Managing
Director, Mr. Muhammed Bello-Koko, at the weekend, met with
Sanwo-Olu to adopt stronger measures to curb corrupt practices and
alleged extortion of truck drivers by traffic and security
operatives along the Lagos Ports corridor.
The NPA boss alongside the Executive Director Marine and
Operations, other management staff, including Port Managers of
Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex, Managing
Directors of Apapa Bulk Terminal and Dangote Port Operations among
other stakeholders, held a meeting with Mr. Governor and his team
at the Lagos House in Marina.
Speaking at the meeting, the NPA Acting MD harped on the need to
strengthen enforcement of traffic laws along the Apapa and Tin Can
Ports roads.
Bello-Koko stated that the NPA has received series of petitions
of extortions from truckers, especially by security operatives,
including the Military, the Police, and NPA Security, demanding
money from drivers before accessing the ports.
He described the ugly practice as a major disincentive to the
smooth implementation of the truck call-up system.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has blamed the
persistent gridlock in Apapa and environs on corruption and human
factors in operation at the axis despite series of interventions by
the government.
Sanwo-Olu, however, called for the sacking and redeployment of
some officials operating in the axis by relevant authorities in
order to have requisite solution and restoration of sanity,
discipline in the area.
Sanwo-Olu, made the remarks while appearing on an early morning
Television Show in Lagos, on Monday, with panelists, led by Dr,
Rueben Abati, with the highlight on the second anniversary of his
administration as well as achievements and State of the Nation.
According to him, “Electronic -call up system for container
operation in Apapa was meant to restore sanity in the areas
surrounding it. But there are operational issues as to why the
system is not working fine. And Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and
its stakeholders will have to fix this.
“The roads are not also good to go, some are under construction,
a lot of corruption is going on in Apapa. We will ask the Inspector
General of Police to change all policemen in the area as well as
NPA and make them examples. Heads must roll over persistent
gridlock in Apapa if we must-have a solution to it.
“Apapa port is overstretched, and we need to have others. We are
planning alternative ports and we are doing that with the Lekki and
Badagry seaports. The trailers/tanker drivers are not captured in
the e-call up system, and they make up 65-70 percent of traffic in
and around Apapa ports.
“But they will always threaten to strike the moment you tell
them to obey simple rules and nobody wants to hear of their strike.
But we will have the conversation because you cannot be a law unto
yourselves.
“You must have enough room to park your trailers/tankers inside
your facility and if you don’t have, you cannot bring them into
Apapa.”
Sanwo-Olu said NPA and the Lagos State government have both gone
back to the drawing board to restrategize on how to subdue the
intractable gridlock in the area.
Recall that the management of NPA led by its Acting Managing
Director, Mr. Muhammed Bello-Koko, at the weekend, met with
Sanwo-Olu to adopt stronger measures to curb corrupt practices and
alleged extortion of truck drivers by traffic and security
operatives along the Lagos Ports corridor.
The NPA boss alongside the Executive Director Marine and
Operations, other management staff, including Port Managers of
Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex, Managing
Directors of Apapa Bulk Terminal and Dangote Port Operations among
other stakeholders, held a meeting with Mr. Governor and his team
at the Lagos House in Marina.
Speaking at the meeting, the NPA Acting MD harped on the need to
strengthen enforcement of traffic laws along the Apapa and Tin Can
Ports roads.
Bello-Koko stated that the NPA has received series of petitions
of extortions from truckers, especially by security operatives,
including the Military, the Police, and NPA Security, demanding
money from drivers before accessing the ports.
He described the ugly practice as a major disincentive to the
smooth implementation of the truck call-up system.