The Lagos State Government has warned truck operators against converting public roads into makeshift parking lots, as it moves to tackle renewed traffic congestion along the Lekki-Epe corridor and other major routes in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa, issued the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the state government to address the resurgence of traffic gridlock in Apapa, Lekki-Epe and the Lekki Free Trade Zone axis.
Musa said the government would intensify regulatory and enforcement measures against the indiscriminate parking of articulated trucks, stressing that such practices obstruct traffic flow and cause significant inconvenience to residents, commuters and other road users.
He warned that the government would not allow public road infrastructure to be converted into makeshift truck parks, urging operators to comply with existing traffic regulations and operational procedures.
According to the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the causes of the renewed congestion and develop sustainable measures to restore free movement along the affected corridors.
Stakeholders identified indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles along strategic traffic routes as one of the major factors worsening congestion.
Other challenges identified included the unauthorised movement of trucks from unregistered or unidentified parks into the port environment and the inability of trucks destined for bonded terminals to exit the port after 6:00 p.m., resulting in congestion within terminal facilities.
They also raised concerns over operational challenges with the Epe Electronic Call-Up System, noting that some trucks duly called up were unable to gain access to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The stakeholders further called for an upgrade of the Electronic Call-Up System at Apapa ports to facilitate seamless and comprehensive automation of truck movement.
The meeting noted that the combination of these challenges was putting pressure on available road infrastructure, disrupting logistics operations and worsening traffic congestion, with attendant effects on residents and businesses.
The stakeholders consequently agreed on the need for coordinated interventions to address the identified challenges and improve traffic management along the Apapa and Lekki-Epe corridors.
The meeting was attended by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, senior LASTMA officials, representatives of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners operating along the Lekki and Apapa corridors, representatives of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), the Shoppers Council and other stakeholders.
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