Lagos, Nigeria — In the face of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s stern ultimatum to restore order along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, truck drivers and touts openly defied the directive, displaying their audacity…CONTINUE READING
Governor Sanwo-Olu conducted a thorough inspection of the area last Friday and issued a clear ultimatum to truckers, demanding that they clear the road or face dire consequences.
While there was some initial compliance on Monday, the traffic situation has taken a turn for the worse, with touts returning to the Mile-2 area unchallenged by law enforcement agencies such as the Police and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Truck drivers, who claim to have settled those involved in traffic management along the route, are now challenging the Lagos State government to address the issue at its core and tackle the underlying factors. They emphasize that truck drivers are human beings deserving of attention.
One truck driver, known as Abdullahi, stated, “It seems that everyone is quick to blame truck drivers, who endure immense hardships on the road, while the police, LASTMA, NUPENG officials, and area boys continue to exploit us without restraint on a daily basis.”
Abdullahi urged the state government to convene a meeting involving all parties responsible for managing the area, including truck drivers, to find a lasting solution to the problem.
He added, “I implore the government to facilitate a dialogue among all stakeholders; otherwise, their current efforts only scratch the surface of this issue.”
He pointed out that many of the officials mentioned rely on the toil of truck drivers, who endure days under the scorching sun and heavy rain, all the while facing harassment from these officials and area boys.
Several drivers, speaking anonymously to Vanguard, revealed that the road has become their last resort, as the government has failed to provide them with proper parking facilities. One exhausted driver asked if anyone thought they were content with working under such conditions.
He said, “Do you think that we are content working in these harsh conditions, without bathing for days, and enduring harassment from area boys, LASTMA, the police, and other security agencies?” He lamented that they had hoped for smoother traffic flow, but those in authority have neglected to address the ongoing harassment and extortion by various security agencies and area boys.
When pressed by the reporter about their expectations from the government, the young driver responded, “You should direct your questions to the Nigeria Ports Authority, LASTMA, the police, and the area boys, and ask them why traffic isn’t flowing. They know exactly why they are making our lives difficult—so they can profit more each day.”
