Emmanuel Thomas
The day tanker drivers forced Ambode into one-way traffic
June 25, 2015 – It was one of the most horrible day for Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode when he set out on a visit to traffic points in Apapa, Lagos
Just halfway into the journey on the bridge just by breweries, the governor and his convoy were forced to beat a retreat when they discovered that the whole of the expressway has been blocked by tankers who are waiting to load in turns at the tank farms situated at Apapa.
The governor had to take one way to link the section leading to Lagos Island to turn at Ijora. But that was just the beginning, at Ijora Causeway, the governor and his convoy were again forced to beat a retreat when they discovered that the road was not better.
There was just no thorough fare, forcing the governor and his convoy to drive one way few metres to link the intersection leading to Apapa. The convoy managed on the single lane on the bridge which the almighty tanker drivers had left for vehicles and had to turn into Malu Road and then to Mobil Road to link a bumpy route off the expressway to Flower Mills.
It was not an easy day for the governor who has to trek long distance on the bumpy and very rough Creek Road up to Liverpool and surrounding streets to personally assess the traffic situation on Apapa road. The bad roads were not just the bad news about Apapa, businesses are gone, leaving the whole area more like a ghost town.
The banks are just a shadow of themselves, no customers and it was as though all the banks on Creek Road are at the point of extinction.
The governor saw all he needed to see and promised to provide succor for residents by moving his men to mend troublesome spots on the road before looking for lasting solution.