Apapa Gridlock Returns As Truckers Flood Port Access Roads, Alleged Syndicate Profits From Chaos

The notorious traffic gridlock that once crippled Apapa and its environs is gradually resurfacing, threatening to paralyze movement and port operations once again.

Despite previous interventions, residents, commuters, and port workers are now facing renewed evening congestion as truckers and tankers swarm the port access roads daily.

Investigations by the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) reveal that while Apapa roads remain relatively free during the day, a long trail of trucks begins forming by evening from both the Costain and Mile 2 entry points.

From the Ijora-Olopa Bridge to Apapa and from Coconut Bus Stop to Tin Can Island’s gates, trucks line up in droves, allegedly paying between N30,000 and ₦50,000 to secure a spot in the queue.

Sources alleged that some officials of key agencies—including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police—are complicit in the illegal toll collection, turning a blind eye as the situation worsens.

The most affected areas include Wharf Road, Warehouse Road, Commercial Road, Burma Road, and Creek Road.

By 5 PM, vehicle owners often abandon their cars and resort to motorcycles to escape the gridlock while their car out of the affected areas before the close of work daily.

Moses Fadipe, former National Coordinator of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), attributed the resurgence to the return of vested interests who previously profited from the chaos. He noted that the Lagos State Government knows what steps to take to prevent a full-blown crisis.

Martins Enebeli, President of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and the Nigerian Licensed Ship Chandlers Association (NILSCA), blamed government insincerity for the relapse.
He urged authorities to prioritise rail transport for cargo evacuation from Lagos ports and to revive Eastern and Delta ports to ease pressure on Apapa.

“Bonded terminals should be relocated far from the ports and connected by rail. Government must stop concentrating port operations in the West while neglecting other regions,” Enibeli stated.

A senior official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that a syndicate involving both state and non-state actors is profiting from the tolls collected from truckers, exacerbating the traffic crisis.

Stakeholders are calling for urgent federal intervention to dismantle the alleged racketeering network and restore sanity to Apapa’s transport corridors.

Comments

Eze Uchendu Applauds Compt. Olomu's Outstanding Performance In Apapa

...Berates APMT For Lack of Capacity & Technicality ...Calls FG to Set Up Committee To Access APMT Operations In Nigeria The remarkable performance of the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi has been commended by a renowned freight forwarder, the Chairman of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder( NAGAFF), Apapa Chapter, Fowdr. Prince Eze Uchendu. Accessing the Apapa Command under the control of Compt. Olomu, the chairman applauded the resilience and doggedness of the area controller in all areas of operation, in his words, "I think for now we have a good controller, the person of controller, Babatunde Olomu, since his inception as the CAC Apapa, I can say Apapa Command has never had it so good, so I can score the Nigeria customs high In all fields of endeavour, the controller has been a moving controller, he's not a controller that stays in office. He comes to the terminals ...

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN (KSJI) TAKES A SWIPE AT BAD LEADERSHIPS IN NIGERIA

Maj. Gen. (Prof) Remy Uche, KSJI Supreme Subordinate President, Nigeria. As Christians all over the world marked the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on August 29 commemoration of his beheading by King Herod for speaking up to the truth, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of the Roman Catholic Church has taken a swipe against which it described as obnoxious and draconian leaderships in many spheres of life in Nigeria. The Knights of St. John International (KSJI), a sodality organisation of men and women looked up to in the Roman Catholic Church as people of integrity, is not happy with the current situation in the country where leaders in some places are not serving expectedly. According to a press statement made by the KSJI leader in Nigeria (Supreme Subordinate President), Maj Gen. Remy Uche (Prof), and signed on his behalf, by his Chief of Staff, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, to mark the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint...

Breaking News: CBN Ordered To Immediately Suspend Enforcement Of Cuber-Security Levy

Hon. Tajudeen Abbass Speaker of the House of Representatives The House of Representatives has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately suspend the enforcement of the controversial cybersecurity levy. The House took this decision following a motion raised by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda on behalf of all members. The House had expressed concern that the circular issued by the CBN could be misunderstood by Nigerians, it however, noted that the directive does not align with the principles outlined in section 44(2a) of the cybercrime Act regarding the recipients responsible for paying the levy. The House urged the CBN to promptly retract its previous circular regarding the levy’s enforcement and instead publish a new circular aligned with the Act’s provisions. The cybersecurity levy was introduced by CBN through a circular to all banks on May 6, 2024, in accordance with the stipulations of the cybercrime Act.

Maritimegistplus

Search This Blog