Apapa Gridlock Persists Despite Sanwo-Olu's Directives

Traffic gridlock returns to Apapa and environs as trucks defy Sanwo-Olu’s directive
Indiscriminate parking by oil tankers and container drivers causes untold hardship for motorists
Businesses estimated to lose over N100 billion monthly due to the gridlock
Weak enforcement by authorities cited as a major contributing factor

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Oshodi-Apapa expressway and its environs were brought to a standstill yesterday as oil tankers and container drivers indiscriminately parked along the highways, causing untold hardship for motorists and residents.

This development was in apparent defiance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directives against indiscriminate parking by trucks, tankers, and articulated vehicles along highways and bridges in the state.

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“I was in the gridlock for several hours. I got to Second Rainbow and I spent three hours from there to Mile-2,” lamented motorist Mr. Akeem Abdullah.

Another motorist, Mr. John Alloh, expressed frustration, saying, “Are these truck drivers bigger than the government? I spent over two hours from a distance that was supposed to take just five minutes from Second Rainbow to Mile-2. Why would they block the entire road without law enforcement officers doing their jobs? This is an indiscipline and insubordination to the Governor’s directive.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, attributed the gridlock to road construction and the operation of oil depots.

“We have directed relevant agencies, particularly, LASTMA, to henceforth ensure tankers give at least a lane as an access road for other users to allow for seamless flow of traffic. Therefore, any tanker or truck blocking and impeding the free flow of traffic would be impounded,” Giwa stated.

However, the enforcement efforts by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other agencies appear to be inadequate, as the situation persists despite the recent impoundment of over 60 illegally parked containerized trucks along the affected routes.

The gridlock is taking a massive toll on businesses, with the National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, estimating losses at over N100 billion monthly.

“It is not an easy problem. The losses are huge and can be estimated at over N100 billion monthly. Some interventions have been made, but sadly, the petrol tankers and containers continue to occupy the roads,” Amiwero said.

Observers cite weak enforcement as a major contributing factor, as some tank farms lack adequate holding bays, while tanker and truck owners occupy the roads permanently, even without targeted destinations, until hired for business.

Additionally, some drivers prefer to stay on the roads and pay bribes to security agencies instead of using designated parking spaces at the ports.