Copyright tribuneonlineng
Truckers at the nation’s ports have blamed the resurgence of the traffic chaos along the Apapa Port access roads, popularly referred to as “Apapa gridlock”, on the repair works currently ongoing by the Federal Ministry of Works on the Marine Bridge section of the ports access road. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, the National Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, explained that the repair works, coupled with lack of preparedness by the Pre-Gate Section of the electronic Call-Up system, led to the resurgence of traffic chaos along the Lagos port major access road, the Wharf Road. According to Ogungbemi, “The traffic gridlock that motorists are expiring now along the Apapa Port access road is because of ongoing repair works being carried out on the Marine Bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works. “To further compound the traffic situation, the Pre-Gates located at the various port terminals did not put into consideration the impact of the construction works on traffic. This is why we are having the resurgence of traffic snarls along the Apapa port access roads. “However, as of Monday evening, the authorities have started addressing the issue. The Port Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called us that he has informed the Pre-Gate not to release too many numbers of trucks due to the ongoing repair works along the Marine Bridge.” On extortion of truckers, the AMATO Chairman explained that once a system fails, extortion is bound to occur. “Extortion is synonymous with the Nigerian system. It occurs when a system fails. Once the system failed and the traffic chaos began to pile up, truckers started offering bribes to the traffic officials on the road in order to have faster access to the port. “It is not an uncommon sight in Nigeria. Once there is break down of law and order, everybody starts trying to outwit each other for port access. The few traffic controllers that are on the road starts feasting on the confusion to make quick money. “This is why we have been clamouring for electronic Tags for truckers. It is the only solution to the issue of extortion along the port access roads,” he said.
