Apapa gridlock: Lagos to disband illegal check points, curb extortion

 

The Lagos state government has announced the disbandment of illegal checkpoints along the Apapa/ Tincan axis.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with Transport Unions, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka, said the measure was aimed at addressing the perennial gridlock in the area.

He disclosed that the measure was sequel to an agreement with the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in streamlining check points along the corridors and feeder routes.

Fayinka announced that the State Government would establish a Special Mobile Courts to enforce zero tolerance on illegal extortions and activities of miscreants along the corridor

Despite several efforts by both the state and the Federal Government, extortion has continued to unabated on the Apapa/Tin-Can axis.

Motorists and trucks have constantly bemoaned the multiple checkpoints mounted by security agencies and some transport unions who collects as much as N1,000 from them.

But at the meeting, Fayinka explained that in streamlining the corridor, illegal extortion points will be disbanded.

The transport special adviser further stated that trucks will no longer be stopped for ETO at Ijora Badia and other places.

He explained further that some checkpoints will be manned by the NPA alone, while some other checkpoints will be assigned to NPA and the Lagos State Government.

In the same vein, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Rapid Response Squad and the Nigerian Police Force will manage some points independently without interference from the other agencies, while military checkpoints will no longer exist along the port corridors.

The transport special adviser however sounded a warning to unions and hoodlums extorting motorists along Tincan saying their activities will no longer be allowed on the corridors as they are also inimical to seamless traffic flow.