Sophia Michaels
The Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Police Force, have embarked on removing illegally parked and abandoned trailers at Apapa.
This was made known in a statement made available to PUNCH Metro by the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the immediate removal of the abandoned trucks occurred following the expiration of a removal order issued to truck drivers in order to safeguard the general safety of vehicles plying the Apapa area of the state.
“The Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigeria Police began strict enforcement operations on all illegally parked or abandoned trailers within Apapa and its environs.
“Mr. Adebayo Taofiq explained that the decision which was taken after the expiration of a ‘Removal Order’ issued to trailer drivers would ensure the general safety of motorists and allow unimpeded free flow of traffic around the entire Apapa axis”.
The General Manager, LASTMA who led the operation on October 10, said that eighteen vehicles had been evacuated from Apapa.
“The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, who led the combined enforcement team which commenced on Tuesday, 10th of October, 2023, disclosed that over 18 trailers have so far been removed in accordance with the government’s zero tolerance for gridlocks and indiscipline.
“Mr. Oreagba added that the enforcement operations which would be a continuous exercise was to checkmate the excesses of these trailer drivers and restore sanity around Creek Road, Etisalat Corridor, Trebor Junction, Liverpool, down to Tin-Can first/second Gates to Coconut, Trinity, Sunrise and Mile 2 axis”.
He noted that seminars would be arranged to warn truck drivers about parking their vehicles on Lagos roads Indiscriminately.
He further employed drivers to take control of the road and to report any instances of careless parking to the hotlines of the LASTMA, adding that any truck driver caught parking illegally would face legal repercussions.
According to Oreagba, “Series of meetings have been held with the Petroleum tanker/trailer drivers branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, other transport stakeholders to educate their members and ensure that they desist from indiscriminate parking and being indiscipline on the road.
“All tanker/ trailer drivers are advised to adhere strictly to the new directive, as the government will not hesitate to enforce traffic rules and regulations to the letter.”
The statement added, “Oreagba however called on motorists including other road users to take possession of the road and not hesitate to inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned trailers/ tankers via the Agency hotlines. (08100565860, 08129928515, 08129928593)
“He maintained that all contravened trailers/ tankers would be immediately charged to court for prosecutions in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.”
