The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) on Wednesday stated that persistent extortion by security operatives, along the port access roads including shunting of trucks that are not called-up among other bottlenecks are factors responsible for the lingering gridlock in Apapa
The Acting Chairman of the BOT, Aloga Ogbogo, said that the Council was formed to address the challenges bedeviling haulage businesses in the industry especially in Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos state.
Ogbogo, who also doubles as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), listed the factors responsible for persistent gridlock in the port to include; shunting of trucks that are not called up by some persons with the aid of security operatives, preferential treatment given to the highest bidders by the security operatives, inefficiency of the shipping companies and terminal operators in handling empty containers like system break down, lack of space to stack empty containers are part of the reasons why there is gridlock on the port access roads
He further blamed the continued gridlock on lack of functional holding bays by shipping companies for the empty containers.
The delay in the construction of Apapa/Oshodi expressway, according to him, is another factor that hampers free flow of traffic along the corridor.
Aloga however urged the federal government to prevail on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) to set up a call-up committee comprising of the NPA, Port Police, COMTUA and terminal operators to handle the call up for the major truck transit terminals.
"While we urge the federal government to prevail on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) to set up a call-up committee comprising of the NPA, Port police, COMTUA and terminal operators to handle the call up for the major truck transit terminals.
Adding that it should be a policy of the government that all trucks going to the ports must enter the transit truck terminals, before accessing the ports. defaulters should be severely sanctioned,”
Aloga also thanked the Lagos State Governor; Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his good governance and his proactive steps to address the menace of the gridlock in Lagos State while urging him not to forget the promise of providing land for the proposed truck park he has promised the council.
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