The enduring nightmare of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway gridlock continued unabated, with the traffic chaos extending all the way to the Second Rainbow bus stop, causing distress among commuters….CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Despite the establishment of a Task Force by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the issue and the presence of Ports Police, the situation appeared to be beyond their control.
Over a week ago, Governor Sanwo-Olu issued a directive to the Lagos State Special Committee on Apapa Traffic to clear the gridlock within 24 hours. However, as of now, the directive has not been effectively implemented.
Meanwhile, truckers represented by the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA) have lauded Vanguard Newspapers for its investigative report exposing extortion practices along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway and surrounding areas, affirming its accuracy and credibility.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Command, AIG Susan Akem-Horsfall, acknowledged the gridlock from Coconut to the Second Gate of Tin-can Island Port but assured that it is manageable. She mentioned the establishment of a task force to address the situation and vowed to provide further updates to Vanguard.
Responding to inquiries, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, confirmed the government’s awareness of the ongoing crisis and its determination to intervene.
He announced plans for an inspection of the chaotic traffic along Oshodi-Mile-2 Apapa Expressway and the convening of a stakeholders’ meeting to devise solutions and ease congestion promptly.
Giwa urged residents and motorists to remain patient as the government actively addresses the issue. Earlier, officials, including Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Special Adviser Giwa, and Ministry Permanent Secretary Abdulhafiz Toriola, visited the Costain and Iyana-Oworo areas to assess the traffic situation.
Investigations by Vanguard and corroborated by local sources revealed the existence of at least 58 extortion points managed by various entities, including the Police, ECOMOG, Oduduwa boys, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Maritime workers, Apapa Local Government Area, and area boys, among others.
Vanguard’s investigation, published on Wednesday, unveiled that there are 25 extortion points with fees of N61,000 each for trucks going towards Tincan along the expressway, 12 extortion points for outbound Tincan with a charge of N25,000, and 19 extortion points within the Apapa corridor with a toll of N52,000. These extortion practices frequently lead to conflicts between drivers and collectors, exacerbating the gridlock.
