The Lagos State Government, on Thursday, convened a stakeholders’ meeting to tackle renewed traffic gridlock affecting Apapa, Lekki-Epe and the Lekki Free Trade Zone corridors.
The meeting, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, brought together key stakeholders to examine the causes of the worsening congestion and develop measures to restore smooth vehicular movement.
Musa said the government would intensify enforcement against the indiscriminate parking of articulated trucks along the Lekki-Epe corridor, warning that the practice was obstructing traffic and causing hardship for residents, commuters and other road users.
He said the government would deploy appropriate enforcement mechanisms to prevent road infrastructure from being converted into makeshift truck parks, while urging truck operators to comply with established traffic regulations and operational procedures.
Stakeholders identified several factors contributing to the renewed gridlock, including the unauthorised movement of trucks from unregistered or invisible parks into the ports.
They also raised concerns over the inability of trucks destined for bonded terminals to exit the Port after 6pm, a situation which contributes to congestion within terminal facilities.
Another major concern was the operation of the Epe Electronic Call-Up System, with stakeholders noting instances where trucks duly called up were unable to access the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The meeting also called for an upgrade of the Electronic Call-Up System at the Apapa Ports to achieve seamless and comprehensive automation.
Stakeholders further identified the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles along major traffic corridors as a major contributor to congestion in the affected areas.
According to the stakeholders, the combined effect of the operational and infrastructural challenges has placed significant pressure on existing road infrastructure, disrupted logistics operations and affected residents and businesses.
The meeting resolved that urgent measures should be taken to address the identified challenges and restore efficient traffic movement across the affected corridors.
According to a statement by LASTMA’s spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq, those in attendance included the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki; top management officials of LASTMA; representatives of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners operating along the Lekki and Apapa corridors; representatives of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, NPERA; representatives of the Shoppers Council and other stakeholders.
