The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) joined forces with the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police yesterday to impound 18 trucks and remove abandoned trucks and indiscriminately parked trucks on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway.
The enforcement came barely 48 hours after the Senate and the state government had expressed the need for concerted efforts to end the perennial traffic gridlock in the city’s environment.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise, the general manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (Lastma), Bolaji Oreagba, explained that the decision, which was taken after the expiration of a 'removal order' issued to truck drivers, would ensure the general safety of vehicles and drivers and allow unimpeded free-flow of traffic around the entire Apapa axis, vital for port access and trade.
Oreagba, who spoke through Lastma’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed that over 18 trucks had so far been removed by the government, following its zero tolerance for gridlocks and indiscipline stand.
He said the Lagos State Government would ensure a smooth ride to and from the port gate for vehicles using the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
"A series of meetings have been held with the petroleum tanker/trailer drivers' branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and other transport stakeholders to educate their members and ensure that they desist from indiscriminate parking and being indisciplined on the road.
"All tanker/trailer drivers are advised to adhere strictly to the new directive, as the government will not hesitate to enforce traffic rules and regulations to the letter," he said.
