The Federal Government on Wednesday directed personnel of the Nigerian Navy to immediately withdraw from traffic management duties in and around Apapa and its environs.
The Presidency has also ordered the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) to move into Apapa as the lead traffic management agency, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park ‘A’ as a truck transit park.
It further directed that all military and paramilitary checkpoints in front of the ports and environs are to be dismantled following the new directive.
In a statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity; Mr, Laolu Akande, the directive follows an emergency meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo on the 25th of April, 2019.
According to the statement, “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 Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park A as a truck transit park.
The new Presidential directive has been issued for the immediate clearing up of the Apapa gridlock and the restoration of law and order to its environs within 2 weeks.
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.
“This directive follows an emergency meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo on the 25th of April, 2019.
“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.
“At the meeting were key heads and representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, including the Honourable Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu;
“Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral B.E.E Ibe-Enwo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Salaam Taiwo Olufemi; and the Executive Director, Marine and Operations of NPA, Dr. Sokonte Davies, among others.
“Consequently, a Presidential Taskforce, chaired by Vice President Prof Osinbajo was established to restore law and order to the area within 2 weeks.
The presidency maintained that directive is for enforcing the permanent removal of all stationary trucks on the highway, and the development of an effective manual truck call-up system, pending the introduction of the electronic truck call-up system.
The directive further mandates compliance by all security personnel and MDAs, while heads of Nigerian ports, Customs , and all other security operatives are to ensure their officers’ adherence to the new directives.
According to the statement, members of the taskforce include: Mr. Kayode Opeifa, former Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, as the Executive Vice Chairman; a representative of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
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