Obey, Or Face The Music, Truck Drivers Warned

The Port Manager of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Tincan Island Port, Mr. Effiota Ephraim has, in a bid to solve the persistent traffic jam on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, called on stakeholders to implement the outcome of the communiqué that was issued at the last meeting in March.

Since after the meeting, the port management evacuated all abandoned trucks that had hitherto contributed to the traffic problem the port is experiencing and this, to some extent, has eased movement andaccess to the port.

Indisplined trucks drivers have been warned to comply or face the consequences of disobedience. But the traffic is still heavy and going to Apapa has become a herculean task.

Aside that, there is long queue of trailers on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway; the potholes are death traps into which truckers and trailers fall into on a daily basis. Sometimes, innocent citizens are killed by the falling vehicles.

Effiota has promised that all these will become a thing of the past by the time his management is through with the ongoing assignment at the port.

The issue became so worrisome to the management of NPA Tincan Island Port that another meeting with transporters was convened. The Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) were at the meeting.

Effiota expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of the transport union and advised them to change. He also urged the union chairmen to meet their members and relay the message, even though management has begun the evacuation of all abandoned trucks and still plan to carry out some other measures to ensure the traffic jam is reduced.

He implored the transporters to cooperate with the management and comply with the laid down rules. He also warned those that have no business at the port to steer clear because henceforth it will not be business as usual.

The Chairman of RTEAN, Mr Keshinro and his Deputy, Chief Ene, promised to deliver the message to their members though they claimed that the people causing the problem are no longer members of their union but Maritime Workers Unions of Nigeria (MWUN).

He also urged the port management to reconsider the issue of trucks going to Liverpool to make a U-turn and see if there is anything that can be done, adding that it is a big task for the trucks drivers considering the fact that the road is very bad. But the Port Manager said that it was a recommendation by all the stakeholders and he could not unilaterally reverse it.