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By Kenneth Jukpor
As part of efforts to resolve the Apapa traffic gridlock, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has directed all shipping companies to house their empty trucks at their holding bays outside of the port location pending the time for vessel loading.
According to NPA, this new development would effect from November 23, 2017.
Similarly, the Authority has demanded that trucks called up to access the ports must maintain a single lane profile as designated by a new Traffic Management/Enforcement Team, comprising the Nigerian Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA), the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and NPA Security.
This process which the Authority described as the effective management of the traffic situation around the Apapa area of Lagos was developed after consulting major stakeholders.
According to the press release issued by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Abdullahi Goje, tramping trucks milling around in search of customers within the Port Area will also be impounded by the inter-agency Traffic Management/Enforcement Team and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Authority, as part of its commitment to the decongestion of traffic in the Apapa area, will advertise for the licensing of trailer parks as a way of creating holding bay facilities for truckers.
In addition, the NPA will deploy an effective call-up system which will link the Port gate with the trailer parks facility and as such, trucks will only be called up at the appropriate time.
The Authority reiterates its commitment to the Federal Government policy on ease of doing business and will employ every legal means to ensure that there is sanity on the roads leading to the ports.
