Capt. Mohammed Bashir, Managing Director of Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL) – a subsidiary of Flour Mills Nigeria Plc. has lamented how the recent Apapa gridlock reduced the production of the organisation from about 250, 000 bags per week to 190, 000 bags.
He said the gridlock had negative effect on the operations in the port and hampered economic activities when it lasted.
Speaking when he received leaders of the Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) in his office last week, Bashir said no effort must be spared in addressing the perennial traffic gridlock which has negatively affected port operations and hampered economic activities in and around Apapa, Lagos.
“The Apapa gridlocks is top priority, Flour Mills was badly affected this year. We doubled our production to about 250,000 bags a week but it was unfortunate that we are lucky to do 190, 000 bags.
He solicited that barges should be employed in evacuating cargoes and petroleum products from the ports as a means of decongesting the roads.
The President of the Lagos Shippers, Rev. Jonathan Nicol said SALS had planned to collaborate with the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) to find lasting solution to the traffic menace.
He quipped, “We have made a blueprint that we will be discussing with LASTMA about how the Apapa road from Mile 2, Tin Can to Apapa can be monitored to reduce the traffic situation on the road.
“This is not a makeshift thing, it is a regular thing that will be continued until we have workable roads in and around Apapa. So I believe we will have one of your officers in that meeting on how we can reel out how to tackle the problem of Apapa,” he said.
