Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday
assured residents in the Apapa area of the state that plans were on the way to
find a lasting solution to the gridlock in the area.
assured residents in the Apapa area of the state that plans were on the way to
find a lasting solution to the gridlock in the area.
Sanwo-Olu, while on an inspection tour of traffic
situation in Apapa, said that the traffic problem in the area and its environs
was multi-faceted.
situation in Apapa, said that the traffic problem in the area and its environs
was multi-faceted.
He said it required joint efforts by the State government,
their federal counterpart and stakeholders to find a lasting solution.
their federal counterpart and stakeholders to find a lasting solution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
governor stopped by at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), where he met with
port operators.
governor stopped by at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), where he met with
port operators.
The operators reeled out several
challenges confronting the area.
challenges confronting the area.
He was also at Lilly Port Terminal earlier.
“We must thank the Federal Government
for setting up a Presidential Taskforce that will work with the state
government to resolve the gridlock in Apapa.
for setting up a Presidential Taskforce that will work with the state
government to resolve the gridlock in Apapa.
“The facility is owned by the Federal
government, but the users are Lagos citizens.
government, but the users are Lagos citizens.
“We have discovered that the problem
of Apapa is multi-faceted; one agency cannot resolve the issue.
of Apapa is multi-faceted; one agency cannot resolve the issue.
“We have met with security officers
and operators on ground. We have seen the problem is multi-faceted.
and operators on ground. We have seen the problem is multi-faceted.
“It is
more than one company that can bring solution to it,”
he said.
more than one company that can bring solution to it,”
he said.
Sanwo-Olu
said that during the tour, it was realised that NPA and Dangote had worked on
the wharf road up to the Apapa port.
said that during the tour, it was realised that NPA and Dangote had worked on
the wharf road up to the Apapa port.
He,
however, said it was sad that the trucks were still parking on the road.
however, said it was sad that the trucks were still parking on the road.
“From our
interactions with the stakeholders, it was discovered that NPA has a concession
company, APMT.
interactions with the stakeholders, it was discovered that NPA has a concession
company, APMT.
“We realised that there is a disconnect
in the activities of picking and dropping of containers in the ports.
in the activities of picking and dropping of containers in the ports.
“One of the strategies we will be
engaging is NIMASA, shipping councils, NPA and others to resolve the issue,
especially on how they can push the commencement date for the collection of
demurrage,” he said.
engaging is NIMASA, shipping councils, NPA and others to resolve the issue,
especially on how they can push the commencement date for the collection of
demurrage,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu
said the 1,000 capacity Tin Can ports terminal would be available in June. .
said the 1,000 capacity Tin Can ports terminal would be available in June. .
“What is
left to complete is the water system, toilet facility and power supply, which
is the aspect left to fix.
left to complete is the water system, toilet facility and power supply, which
is the aspect left to fix.
“Once they do that, all the trucks on
the Ijora bridge and others within that axis can use it.
the Ijora bridge and others within that axis can use it.
“Another solution, which is the
third, is the land we have within the Tin Can Port.
third, is the land we have within the Tin Can Port.
“The land will need the cooperation
of the federal and state government.
of the federal and state government.
“We will need to move the people that
are occupying the land, because the occupants are illegal squatters.
are occupying the land, because the occupants are illegal squatters.
“We need to source for money to
complete the project.
complete the project.
“There are other smaller terminals
that the committee is working on,” he
said.
that the committee is working on,” he
said.
According
to him, the final solution is round the corner.
to him, the final solution is round the corner.
“We
are hoping in due cause, we will get all these issues behind us,” he said.
are hoping in due cause, we will get all these issues behind us,” he said.
The
Governor, however, said the long term solution to ending the gridlock within
Apapa was an economic one.
Governor, however, said the long term solution to ending the gridlock within
Apapa was an economic one.
“We need to build another port. It is a long term solution.
We will take it upon ourselves, with the support of the NPA, to develop the
Lekki and Badagry ports,” he said.(NAN)
We will take it upon ourselves, with the support of the NPA, to develop the
Lekki and Badagry ports,” he said.(NAN)
