Truckers operating at Lagos ports have raised serious concerns over Federal Government’s decision to close one of the two Ijora bridges for rehabilitation without first providing an alternative route.
Stakeholders who spoke to Shipping Position Daily last week warned that the move, although aimed at infrastructure improvement, could trigger significant disruptions across the logistics and economic sectors.
Recall that the Federal Government had announced full closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos, starting from April 27, for critical repair works. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, made this known during an inspection of the compromised bridge.
Kesha said that the bridge connecting Ijora Causeway to Apapa needed comprehensive repairs, especially replacement of defective bearings beneath the deck. She emphasized the importance of the Ijora Bridge as a major route leading to Apapa, home to two of Nigeria’s busiest ports, Tincan and Apapa ports.
The Lagos Federal Controller of Works had acknowledged the disruption that the closure would cause, but said that it was necessary for the safety of commuters and to prevent further deterioration. “This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases. We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath”, she said.
However last week, as concerns mount over the planned rehabilitation of the Ijora Bridge, truckers and logistics operators who spoke to our correspondent confirmed that the bridge is yet to be closed and currently remains open for normal traffic. They however warned that any eventual closure without viable alternatives could lead to a serious traffic crises, especially around the Apapa port corridor.
Speaking with the Chairman, Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC); Alhaji Shitu Lukman Zangalo, he cautioned that the road closure would likely lead to intense traffic congestion along port access roads and severely hamper the flow of goods in and out of the nation’s busiest seaport—Apapa Port.
Zangalo emphasized that Apapa Port handles a large share of Nigeria’s cargo traffic, and any disruption to the transport network could cause a ripple effect to the economy. The resulting scarcity of trucks, according to the Chairman, would push up haulage costs and ultimately increase the prices of essential goods.
Describing the government’s method as a “fire brigade” approach, the LASTCOC urged authorities to avoid making infrastructural decisions without adequate planning or provisions for alternative arrangements.
When contacted last week, the spokesperson of Truck Transit Parks (TTP); the firm that handles automated scheduling of trucks into Lagos ports; Nancy Nnamdi clarified that the initial phase of the closure will only affect the section of the bridge inwards Apapa from Ijora Causeway. According to her, the blockade will occur at the foot of the bridge, and only vehicular traffic coming from Ijora Olopa heading toward Apapa will be impacted.
She further explained that an alternative route has been designated via the service lane beside the bridge, heading towards Mitsubishi Motors and Total gas station. This diversion is expected to ease the impact of the closure on traffic flow.
On the status of port terminals, Nnamdi noted that Lilypond Terminal will not be affected in this phase, as trucks exiting the terminal will continue using the bridge from the Navy end and descend at the Seven Up area.
Nnamdi also highlighted that the ‘pre-gate’ terminal most likely to be impacted during this phase is the MPS terminal. However, she reassured stakeholders that trucks bound for MPS can use the Costain route inwards to Apapa as an alternative.
However, when contacted, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha clarified that no official date has been announced for the planned road closure, even as she confirmed that preparation continues for the closure.
She emphasized that the public would be duly-informed ahead of time and guided on available alternative routes to minimize inconvenience.
“We are yet to announce the closure date. You will be shown alternative routes when closing.” Kesha said.
