Relief is finally trickling back into the Apapa corridor, and the Lagos State Truck and Cargo Operators Committee (LASTCOC) is giving full credit to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) leadership for keeping the traffic chaos in check despite ongoing construction headaches.
Repair works on the Marine Bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works recently ignited another round of gridlock on the Ijora–Apapa axis, trapping import and export trucks for hours.
But according to LASTCOC, the situation could have been far worse without the constant, round-the-clock presence of the Apapa Port Manager and his team.
LASTCOC Chairman, Mr. Shittu Lukmon, said the NPA’s 24-hour engagement has been the backbone of improved traffic flow into the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), easing pressure on the Export Processing Terminals across the state.
He noted that even with the ongoing repairs, the NPA has maintained smooth movement of trucks in and out of the port, reducing the impact of delays caused by the construction.
Lukmon described the Apapa Port Manager as exceptionally dedicated, recalling how he has personally sighted him working weekends to ensure operations do not collapse under the weight of the gridlock.
“This is commendable work from the Apapa Port Manager. I have never seen a port manager like him. I’ve seen him at the port on Saturdays and Sundays, making sure the entire system runs seamlessly,” he said.
Reporting by Sherifat Oyediran