The notorious Apapa traffic gridlock has resurfaced with a vengeance, threatening to cripple movement and port operations once again! Despite previous interventions , residents , commuters , and port workers are now facing renewed evening congestion as truckers and tankers swarm the port access roads daily.
The Chaos Unfolds
Investigations by the Network of Nigerian Journalists reveal that while Apapa roads remain relatively free during the day , a long trail of trucks begins forming by evening from both the Costain and Mile 2 entry points.
Truckers Pay for Queue Spots : Trucks line up in droves allegedly paying between *N30,000 and N50,000 to secure a spot in the queue .
Complicit Officials : Sources allege that officials from key agencies , including the NPA , NSC , LASTMA , FRSC , and the Nigeria Police , are complicit in the illegal toll collection ,turning a blind eye as the situation worsens .
Affected Areas
The most affected areas include:
Wharf Road
Warehouse Road
Commercial Road
Burma Road
Creek Road
By 5 P M vehicles owners often abandon their cars and resort to *motorcycles to escape the gridlock while getting their cars out of the affected areas before the close of work daily .
Expert Insights
Moses Fadipe , former National Coordinator of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), attributed the resurgence to the return of vested interests who previously profited from the chaos .
Martins Enibeli , President of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and the Nigerian Licensed Ship Chandlers Association (NILSCA) , blamed government insincerity for the relapse .
He urged authorities to prioritize rail transport for cargo evacuation from Lagos ports and to revive Eastern and Delta ports to ease pressure on Apapa.
Call to Action
Stakeholders are calling for urgent federal intervention to dismantle the alleged racketeering network and restore sanity to Apapa’s transport corridors .
