The Trauma On Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

It is highly worrisome that the hellish gridlock along Apapa-Oshodi expressway, occasioned by the indiscriminate parking of trucks and tankers, and the dilapidated state of some parts of the expressway is still a source of concern years after the Federal Government promised to rehabilitate the road and put an end to the menace it constitutes to both motorists and commuters.

About two years ago, following a presidential order, the Presidential Committee on Port Reform  headed by Prof. Sylvester Monye in conjunction with officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and relevant security agencies jointly stormed the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway. Monye commended the evacuation of trucks that had blocked the Apapa- Oshodi Road for several years and vowed the exercise would be sustained, threatening that any truck found on any of the access roads around the port would be crushed.

 The combined force dismantled all shanties, illegal structures and dislodged the truck and tanker drivers who had turned the expressway into an abode. About 70 trucks were reportedly confiscated. Many commuters, residents and motorists were excited and felt that would mark the end of the gridlock. But it was quite unfortunate that the gridlock and the tanker drivers returned to the area few days after Monye’s threat and since then, the trucks have not only compounded the traffic jam but have continued to endanger the lives of other road users.

Apapa-Oshodi expressway is one of the busiest expressways in Lagos due to its strategic role. It serves as the link road to the airport, the busiest ports in Nigeria- Tin Can Island and Apapa Port and about 30 fuel tank farms located at the axis. The rehabilitation project was awarded by the Federal Government in November 2010 to the tune of N6 billion. The 15 km project was contracted to Borini Prono; from Tin-Can Island Port to the Sunrise Bridge/Beach Land Estate axis and Julius Berger. Though construction is near completion, some parts of the expressway have been abandoned. The gridlock is mostly experienced around Sunrise, Trinity/ Kirikiri axis where there are very deep potholes that could pass for craters. Commuters now count their losses on the expressway in terms of increased travel time and threat to their lives by miscreants who take advantage of the situation to rob them while truck drivers have turned the service lane to a holding bay.

 It is time the Federal Government mandated the construction firms to return to work soonest and repair the dilapidated portions of the expressway that have caused several accidents and loss of lives. It appears the Federal Government task force has gone to sleep as there are no signs that it is executing its supervisory mandate. The team needs to focus more on recommending a lasting solution to the menace rather than doing a cosmetic job.

There is a need for the appropriate authorities to provide enough holding bay for tankers.  This is really the bone of contention and as long as this is not tackled, the situation will not abate and the rehabilitation of that axis of the road will be an exercise in futility as those trucks will still damage the road. Will it take rocket science to provide big transit bays or parks- to serve as temporary parks for trucks that want to convey consignments just like the way it is being done in some developed countries? Why is it taking the Federal Government and the Nigeria Port Authority years to provide holding bays as promised?

The tanker drivers who have constituted a menace on the road must accept the responsibility for the chaos and trauma they have caused there. Though their association recently threatened to go on strike if the roads are not repaired in the next two months, they must acknowledge they also have a huge role to play in controlling their members to maintain law and order on the expressway.