Lagos state government moves to end fresh gridlock on Apapa, Lekki-Epe port corridors

The Lagos state government has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to tackle the resurgence of traffic congestion along the Apapa port corridors, Lekki-Epe axis and Lekki Free Trade Zone area.

The meeting, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa, brought together key stakeholders to examine the causes of the worsening gridlock and fashion out sustainable measures to restore free movement along the affected corridors.

Musa, who reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening traffic regulation and enforcement, specifically warned against the indiscriminate parking of articulated trucks along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

He said the conversion of major roads into makeshift truck parks was obstructing traffic flow and causing hardship to residents, commuters and other road users.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that the government would deploy appropriate enforcement measures against truck operators who violate established traffic regulations and operational procedures.

At the meeting, stakeholders identified several factors behind the renewed congestion, including unauthorised movement of trucks from unregistered or unidentified parks into the port environment.

They also raised concerns over the inability of trucks heading to bonded terminals to exit the port after 6 p.m., a situation said to be contributing to congestion within terminal facilities.

Another major concern was the operational challenge associated with the Epe Electronic Call-Up System, particularly instances where trucks already called up were unable to gain access to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

Stakeholders also called for an upgrade of the Electronic Call-Up System at Apapa ports to achieve comprehensive automation and improve the coordination of truck movements.

The meeting further identified indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles along strategic traffic corridors as a major factor worsening congestion in the affected areas.

Stakeholders agreed that the combination of these operational and infrastructural challenges was putting additional pressure on available road infrastructure, disrupting logistics operations and affecting residents and businesses.

They consequently resolved to work towards addressing the identified challenges and improving traffic management along the strategic corridors.

Those at the meeting included the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, senior LASTMA officials, representatives of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners operating on the Lekki and Apapa corridors, representatives of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Shoppers Council and other stakeholders.