Operators commend NPA over evacuation of trucks along port access roads

By ZION Olalekan |

Licensed Customs Agents operating at Apapa ports have acknowledged the recent efforts by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at addressing the traffic gridlock which has bedeviled Nigerian ports over the years, saying that articulated trucks have now vacated some of the bridges leading to the port.

Part of the efforts taken by NPA recently was the commissioning of truck parks at Tin Can Island second gate, and the conversion of Lillypond Terminal at Ijora, Lagos into a truck park.

However, while speaking with Nigeriamaritime360.com, Chairman of Apapa chapter of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Mr. Dom Obi said that the recent effort by NPA is not enough.

Though he acknowledged that commissioning both parks has recently vacated the trucks on bridges leading to Apapa port.
He also said that the effort has further led to free flow of traffic in Apapa.

The ANLCA chairman however said that these efforts, however commendable, cannot bring a lasting solution to the gridlock. He said there was need for creation of sustainable rail network leading to terminals in Apapa, and that the use of barges to move cargoes should be propagated by the government.

“Government has been making statements about solving traffic in Apapa area, many officers have been going through hell for them to come to work, even operators like agents, shipping companies and so on”

“The latest effort by NPA to have a truck park for the trucks is a good development, but then, what I have seen now is that on the bridges to Apapa, we no longer have trucks there, we have seen that the trucks have actually left the bridges and the roads are barely free”

“However, it is still a far cry from our expectations. People are still wary to come and work in Apapa because of the same experience of pot holes and inability to access their offices”

“The parks are good but a lot still needs to be done in terms of creating more parks where the call up system could be effective” he said

Continuing, the Custom broker tasks the federal government, saying that the rail system has to be focused upon and meticulously carried our with dispatch.

“The government shouldn’t waste time with it, Apapa is an industrial area, so if the rail is working, it would relieve the roads from all manner of movements”

“Secondly, this is Lagos State that is so blessed with a lot of water, there is so much water around us, we have barges that could move cargoes away, such that you won’t even know there is a port here” he said