Lagos port gridlock, FG tasks logistics institute

The Federal Government on Sunday tasked the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria (CILTN) to evolve practicable solutions to the Lagos ports road gridlock.

Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi made the call at the 2018 CILTN Conference with the theme: “Trucks in Freight Logistics System: Issues in Nigeria Economic Development’’ in Lagos.

Amaechi said the transport professionals should come up with empirical blue print to end the vehicular traffic on Apapa roads.

The minister, represented by Mr Esuabana Asonye, Director of Transport Policy and Coordination in the ministry, said the inaccessibility of the ports had become an economic setback for country.

“As a key stakeholder in the sector, the clout of the institute remains paramount to the economic development of the nation.

“It is therefore my expectation that the conference will end with resolutions to fast track the development of the sector in all facets, especially practical ones to end the Apapa menace.

“My hope is to see human capacity development of transport professionals in certification, licensing, monitoring, evaluation, research and advocacy which are the hallmark of the institute, to become world class in scope and output.’’

He also said the Lagos traffic dilemma had for years affected the flow of freight and trade.

According to him, the ministry is expecting pragmatic inputs from the conference to end the traffic.