Oyetola says bad ports access roads fueling high haulage cost; Lagos orders trucks to vacate Apapa-Oshodi expressway

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that dilapidated access roads leading to the nation’s seaports are making importers and exporters experience high transportation costs, prolonged transit times and heightened risk of accidents.

The minister, who disclosed this during his visit to the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on Tuesday, listed 15 roads that require urgent attention.

According to the minister, dilapidated port roads cumulatively impede national economic growth, discourage foreign investment, and hinder the nation’s international trade competencies.

He stated further that access roads leading to the ports in Nigeria play a pivotal role in the efficiency of the ports and, therefore, appealed to the minister of Works to assist in undertaking an urgent comprehensive repair and maintenance programme for all dilapidated roads leading to ports in the country.

The roads cut across the Lagos Port complex, Tincan Island Port, Calabar New Port, Delta Port and Onne Port. Some of the access roads are 1.6km dual carriage road within the Lagos Port Complex, 3km Tincan Island access road, 15.3km Eleme Junction -Trailer Park Junction Dual Carriageway at Onne Port and 3.1km FLT-FOT Roundabout Single Carriageway, also at Onne Port.

The works minister appreciated Oyetola and commended him for taking the trouble to visit his office with the request. He promised to take the matter up without any further delay as he agreed with Oyetola that the fixing of the listed access roads would increase port efficiency and aid the country’s economic growth.

To demonstrate commitment to his pledge, the works minister immediately requested his counterpart to nominate a representative who would be meeting with one of the directors in the Ministry of Works on Wednesday to devise means of carrying out the task at hand.

The Lagos State Government (LASG), on Wednesday, directed the immediate evacuation of all tankers and trailers from the Cele Bus Stop inward Tin Can Port axis along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

The statement, released by the state’s Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the directive aims to curb the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles causing traffic congestion in the area.

These trailers and tankers have been notorious for obstructing traffic flow and causing gridlock along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, creating significant challenges for commuters and residents.

Giwa stressed the government’s commitment to mitigating ongoing congestion issues and improving the transportation experience for citizens along the affected route.

“In a decisive move to address the ongoing congestion and alleviate the challenges faced by commuters along the Cele Bus stop Inward Tin can Port axis, the Lagos State Government has issued a directive instructing all tankers and trailers to stop the indiscriminate parking along the corridor forthwith.

“The directives underscore the commitment of the state government to ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and minimizing disruptions caused by the persistent presence of these heavy-duty vehicles in the specified location, saying the order aims to enhance the overall mobility experience for residents and commuters in the affected area.

“Prioritising the safety and well-being of the public, the government emphasizes the importance of a clear and unobstructed road network, urging tanker and trailer drivers to comply with this directive or be sanctioned in line with the State Transport Reform Law,” the statement read.

This latest directive aligns with previous measures taken by the Lagos State Government to address traffic issues caused by trailers and tankers parking indiscriminately along major roads.