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.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Office of the Vice President, 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.
The statement added that the directive follows an emergency meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in April.
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. This led to the establishment of a Presidential Taskforce, chaired by Vice President Osinbajo with a clear mandate to restore law and order to the area within 2 weeks.
Consequently, operators of trucks and tankers have also been directed to vacate the Port Access Roads within the next 72 hours.
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 has been authorised to move into Apapa as the lead traffic management agency, while the NPA is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park A as a truck transit park.
The directive further mandates compliance by all security personnel and MDAs, while heads of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, and all other security operatives are to ensure their officers’ adherence to the new directives.
