Just in: FG appoints LASTMA as lead traffic agency in Apapa, orders withdrawal of Naval personnel.

The Presidency on Wednesday directed the Nigerian Navy operatives to immediately withdraw from traffic management duties in and around the Apapa axis in Lagos.

It further directed that all military and paramilitary checkpoints in front of the ports and environs are to be dismantled following the new directive.

This is contained in the official twitter account of the presidency @NGRPresident.

Henceforth, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) has been authorised to move into Apapa as the lead traffic management agency, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park A as a truck transit park.

“The @Nigerian Navy and all other military formations have also been mandated to withdraw from traffic management duties in and around the Apapa axis, while military and paramilitary checkpoints in front of the ports and environs are to be dismantled.

“In addition, LASTMA @followlastma has been authorised to move into Apapa as the lead traffic management agency, while @nigerianports is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park A as a truck transit park.

The new Presidential directive has been issued for the immediate clearing up of the Apapa gridlock and the restoration of law and order to 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.

“This directive follows an emergency meeting convened by President @MBuhari and chaired by Vice President @ProfOsinbajo on the 25th of April, 2019.

“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.

“At the meeting were key heads and representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, including the Honourable Minister of @FMPWH, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola; Inspector General of @PoliceNG, Mr. Mohammed Adamu;

“Representative of the Chief of @NigerianNavy Staff, Rear Admiral B.E.E Ibe-Enwo; Permanent Secretary, @followlasg Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Salaam Taiwo Olufemi; and the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, @nigerianports, Dr. Sokonte Davies, among others.7

“Consequently, a Presidential Taskforce, chaired by Vice President @ProfOsinbajo was established to restore law and order to the area within 2 weeks.

The presidency maintained that directive is for enforcing the permanent removal of all stationary trucks on the highway, and the development of an effective manual truck call-up system, pending the introduction of the electronic truck call-up system.

The directive further mandates compliance by all security personnel and MDAs, while heads of @nigerianports, @CustomsNG, @FMPWH, and all other security operatives are to ensure their officers’ adherence to the new directives.

Members of the taskforce include Mr. Kayode Opeifa, former Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, as the Executive Vice Chairman; a representative of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC); @nigerianports, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).