· NPA, LASG to clear port corridor, warn saboteurs
Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that contractors in charge of the Mile 2 -Tin Can port road construction have abandoned the project, due to the incessant and indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the port corridors.
This is even as the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing have expressed dissatisfaction over the indiscriminate dumping of wastes on the expressway and vowed to rid the ports corridor of dirt and shanties by enforcing strict compliance.
The delayed construction of the Mile 2- Tin Can port access road which is about 90 per cent completed has consistently failed to meet completion deadlines despite promises from the government to commission and deliver the project.
Our correspondent who took a tour along the Mile 2-Tin Can access road last week observed that no fewer than 50 refuse dumps are between Mile 2 and Tin Can second gate.
Specifically, at Sunrise bus stop, about three heaps of refuse dumps were sighted in the middle of the road where motorists manoeuvre to access the Tin Can Port. Between Coconut Bus stop, and Tin Can First gate, our correspondent also sighted about 20 refuse dumps.
Our correspondent sighted another heap right after the bridge at Tin Can Port 2nd gate where litres and dirt are piled up from the shanties within the vicinity and are periodically burnt causing air pollution. This is apart from the hydrocarbon fumes from the factories in the neighbourhood.
During a joint inspection of the road project last week, the NPA Port Manager of Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC), Mallam Buba Jubrin told our correspondent that the port access road has not been completed because of the discriminate dumping of refuse on the road.
Jubrin disclosed that the NPA is in talks with the Lagos State government on how to address the anomalies, to ensure that the road is completed.
He also added that the electronic call-up system for petroleum products tankers is in progress and would soon be implemented.
“The reason the road has not been completed is because of these discriminate dumps of refuse on the road. We (NPA) in collaboration with the Lagos State government need to clear this place. We are in talks with the Lagos state government. We would escalate this to the NPA management and Lagos State government so that we can partner with them and remove any obstacles so that they can beautify this place for us
“We would limit the admittance of trucks while the Lagos State government works with the tankers so as to clear these areas for them to work. The call-up for tankers is in progress. Don’t forget that we just came out of the elections. But I can assure you that now that the elections have come and gone, we are meeting and the call-up for tankers is in progress”, Jubrin stated.
Also speaking, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Umar Bakare informed that the contract which runs from Apapa to Gbagada has been awarded to 13 contractors and that they have all been fully paid for the project.
Engr. Bakare noted the progress of work on the Mile 2- Tin Can Port access road is being delayed by the arbitrary disposal of refuse on the highway. He assured that the contractors will be back to work immediately after the roads are cleared of refuse.
Appraising the current state of the road, he said: “The honourable Minister’s vision is that once you come out of the port, the place should be very beautiful. The belief is that this will sell Nigeria. It is heartbreaking that when you come out of the port everywhere looks messy”.
‘We have about 13 contractors in charge of Apapa Quays, Liverpool roundabout, Tin Can, Beach Land, Berger, Mile 2, Isolo under bridge, Ladipo and Gbagada. Ladipo is almost done, and Gbagada is almost completed. We have some little issues with Isolo. The issues are just human factors. Once the contractors have access to Mile 2 Tin Can Road, the project will be completed as soon as possible”, Bakare said.
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