Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Ports Authority has agreed to streamline checkpoints along the Apapa/Tincan corridor to eliminate traffic gridlock and curb illegal extortion along the port access roads.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka who disclosed this after a stakeholders meeting with Transport Unions, said government will enforce zero tolerance on illegal extortions and activities of miscreants along the corridor through Special Mobile Courts created to address traffic gridlock and extortion.
Fayinka explained that illegal extortion points will be disbanded and the agencies charged with the role of managing traffic flow along the axis have been clearly defined and assigned to prevent any illegal activity that can hinder the smooth port operations for all stakeholders.
Fayinka revealed that agreed checkpoints have been assigned to specific agencies. He explained that some checkpoints will be manned by the NPA alone, while some other checkpoints will be assigned to NPA and the Lagos State Government.
He added that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Rapid Response Squad and the Nigerian Police Force, will manage some points independently without interference from the other agencies, while Military Checkpoints will no longer exist along the Port Corridors.
Due to this development, the Special Adviser stated that trucks will no longer be stopped for ETO at Ijora Badia (LPC axis), Mile 2 Under and Over the Bridge, UBA (TCIPC corridor), adding that Truck movement will not be interfered with at NAGAFF, Area B, RRS Marine Bridge, 7up, Fidelity Roundabout, Etisalat Roundabout (LPC axis) and RRS (TCIPC corridor).
The Special Adviser however sounded a warning to unions and hoodlums extorting truckers along Tincan, saying their activities will no longer be allowed on the corridors as they are also inimical to seamless traffic flow.
The Special Adviser urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the new strategy and coordinate themselves accordingly as this will improve movement along the port access roads which will better economic activities.