The ding-dong over which apparatus of government is responsible for the deplorable state of access roads into the port city of Apapa, took a dramatic turn yesterday when the Nigerian Ports Authourity openly faulted the governor’s earlier claims about the effect of port congestion on the failed roads.
The governor had, after paying a third consecutive visit to Apapa last Sunday, blamed federal government agencies at the port for the debilitating traffic at Apapa, even as he said that lack of coordination among the agencies was largely responsible for the problem.
The ding-dong over which apparatus of government is responsible for the deplorable state of access roads into the port city of Apapa, took a dramatic turn yesterday when the Nigerian Ports Authourity openly faulted the governor’s earlier claims about the effect of port congestion on the failed roads.
The governor had, after paying a third consecutive visit to Apapa last Sunday, blamed federal government agencies at the port for the debilitating traffic at Apapa, even as he said that lack of coordination among the agencies was largely responsible for the problem.
He had particularly blamed respective federal agencies for subjecting Apapa people to untold hardship, and urged theFederal Government to take responsibility for its facilities within Apapa; especially the ports and the expressway.
Empatising with those who either live or work in Apapa, he had said that, “it has been very uncomfortable experiences in their various offices and homes. As you can see, it has become difficult to remove refuse. I do not know why a country can treat its commercial capital like this. I do not know what kind of leadership continues to allow this kind of eyesore in Apapa and its environs”.
But apparently shocked at the governor’s blame game, the NPA yesterday, in a statement signed by its Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs; Musa Iliya, said it was “taken aback” by “comments from our usually amiable host and Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on the current Apapa traffic gridlock and efforts to end it by all stakeholders”.
In a statement titled : “Our Amiable Governor Fashola’s Comments On Apapa Traffic Gridlock: Matters Arising”, the Nigerian Ports Authourity, said while it is genuinely concerned about the impact the prolonged grid lock its operational efficiency and effectiveness, it nevertheless, alleged that “the Lagos State Government is surely one of the biggest beneficiaries of the port concessions in terms of the revenue it collects from importers as wharf landing fees, and other businesses generated by the port activities. Therefore one would expect his Excellency to be more circumspect in his assessment of the situations.”
Defending its principal, NPA also said that: “It is important to appreciate also that in view of capacity deficiency of the roads within Apapa which were built in the 1970’s, the Federal Government awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Apapa-Oshodi Express Road to two reputable companies and work is on-going. Credit should be given to the Federal Government for this”.
Acknowledging that cargo throughput had soared and outweighed the capacity of the access road by about 200%, NPA said it had facilitated the construction of two trailer parks; one on the Lagos Badagry expressway and and the other at Tin Can Port, “in order to properly control and manage the movement of trucks around the ports and the incidence of indiscriminate parking”.
“Furthermore, the construction of the rail Tracks at the Lagos Ports Complex have been completed and linked to the National grid and movement of containers by rail have also commenced. This has reduced the pressure of delivery of cargo by road”.
Rather than blame NPA for the traffic gridlock, “our amiable Governor should see the NPA as a Federal Government agency which is doing all it could to ameliorate the suffering of stakeholders arising from the unfortunate grid lock on Apapa access road rather than adding to the problem”, it added, even as it invited the governor to come and visit the ports to see the extent of efforts being made to upgrade terminals and equipment.
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