TANKER DRIVERS GET 72 HOURS ULTIMATUM TO CLEAR OSHODI/ APAPA ROAD

The Lagos State Government has handed a 72 hours ultimatum to members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO) to streamline their trucks into setback approved by government to pave way for free flow of traffic on the Oshodi Apapa Expressway.

At a meeting held by state government officials with members of the unions on Tuesday evening, Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa said the state government would mobilise members of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to the area to clear any backlog in the next 72 hours and pave way for free flow of traffic.

He added that the tanker drivers must remain within the setback allowed by the state government so as to allow for free flow of traffic adding that the Lagos State Government is concerned about traffic congestion around the tank farm area in Apapa and the Tin Can Port with containers waiting to discharge. He said government is making contact with tank farm owners in the area to ensure that Nigerians are not subject to hardship in the area.

In his reaction, Chairman NUPENG, Lagos State, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo promised to appeal to members to ensure that members remove their trucks from the affected part of the road to pave way for free flow of traffic.

Also Speaking, Chairman, AMARTO, Lagos State, Comrade Remi Ogungbemi described the traffic situation as an eyesore and not in the best interest of Nigeria, stressing that any emergency in the area could spell doom unless the traffic situation in the area is brought under control. He said his men need a fixed place to park the truck so as to curtain recurring incident of road blockage in the area.

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The need for the meeting arouse following occupation of the road median by Messrs Julius Berger who are handling construction in the area forcing traffic into the service lane already occupied by the trucks

Kwekwu Thomas.