The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday issued a 72 hour ultimatum to truck drivers to vacate access roads to the port in Apapa, Lagos.
On Saturday and Sunday, despite the decree, Trucks were still seen on Eko bridge, Ijora bridge, Apapa bridge and other roads that leads to the port.
The President also ordered the immediate removal of all trucks from the bridges and roads within Apapa and all adjoining streets leading to the area.
The order was meant to clear gridlock in the area referred to as the gateway to the nation’s economy. Although the area is known for heavy vehicular movement, articulated trucks have worsened the traffic congestion.
The President noted that the vacation would help in clearing the Apapa gridlock and help in restoring law and order to Apapa and its environs. The vacation notice was issued as one of the outcomes of a meeting convened by President Buhari and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the 25th of April, 2019.
Truck drivers going into the Lagos port have turned every road and street to parking space. This has been one of the major cause of traffic in the state.
The truck drivers have consistently ignored the warning by the Lagos State Government to vacate the road. Some of the drivers also bribe Police Officers, Soldiers and Naval Officers who work with thugs in the area to allow them to park on the roads.
The notice issued by the President reads, “A Presidential directive has been issued for the immediate clearing up of the Apapa gridlock and the restoration of law and order to Apapa and its environs within 2 weeks.
“The directive mandates the immediate removal of all trucks from the bridges and roads within Apapa and all adjoining streets leading into the Apapa axis.
“To facilitate this important assignment, operators of trucks and tankers have also been directed to vacate the Port Access Roads within the next 72 hours.
“The meeting proffered lasting solutions to the gridlock around the Lagos Ports, as the traffic congestion has continued to restrict all operations and livelihood in the area.”
Source: dailyadvent