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Apapa Gridlock Resurfaces: Truckers Flood Port Access Roads Amid Alleged Syndicate’s Profiteering
By Our Correspondent
The notorious traffic gridlock in Apapa has returned with a vengeance, crippling movement and port operations. Despite previous interventions, residents, commuters, and port workers are facing renewed evening congestion as truckers and tankers swarm the port access roads daily.
The Chaos Unfolds
From the Ijura-Olopa Bridge to Apapa and from Coconut Bus Stop to Tin Can Island’s gates, trucks line up in droves, allegedly paying between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 to secure a spot in the queue. This has led to a significant increase in travel time, with vehicle owners often abandoning their cars and resorting to motorcycles to escape the gridlock by 5 PM daily.
The Syndicate’s Role
Sources allege 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. A senior official confirmed that a syndicate involving both state and non-state actors is profiting from the tolls collected from truckers, exacerbating the traffic crisis.
Stakeholders’ Concerns
Stakeholders are calling for urgent federal intervention to dismantle the alleged racketeering network and restore sanity to Apapa’s transport corridors. Martins Enibeli, President of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and the Nigerian Licensed Ship Chandlers Association (NILSCA), blamed government insincerity for the relapse and urged authorities to prioritize rail transport for cargo evacuation from Lagos ports and revive Eastern and Delta ports to ease pressure on Apapa.
The Way Forward
To address the gridlock, Enibeli recommended relocating bonded terminals far from the ports and connecting them by rail. He also emphasized the need for the government to stop concentrating port operations in the West while neglecting other regions. The Lagos State Government is aware of the measures needed to prevent a full-blown crisis, but vested interests seem to be hindering progress.