Considering the level of disrepairs on all access roads leading to and fro the major seaports including Apapa and Tincan, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman has appealed to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and members of the National Assembly to include the reconstruction of all link access roads serving the nation’s gateway in the 2017 budget.
Usman, according to a statement issued by General Manager (Public Affairs), Chief Michael Ajayi told the stakeholders that the quick rehabilitation of the road remains a priority to her team to reposition the ports and salvage the economy.
She said the official appropriation will speed up quick completion of the trailer park opposite the Tin-Can port and make fund available to reconstruct the access roads.
She said a synergy between the Federal, state and stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the perennial gridlock on the road has become necessary as the activities of tanker drivers on the axis has killed the hitherto serene industrial life of the axis. .
She urged port users to always subject themselves to the security checks at the gates leading to the ports and warned all unauthorised person intruding into the ports to stop or face sanctions.
NPA, she said, would soon introduce measures that will make it impossible for those without genuine business to access the ports.
According to her, NPA would continue to hold meetings with stakeholders to workout modalities on “measures” to be adopted to resolve the gridlock in the interest of all stakeholders and the nation’s economy.
The Federal Government, she said, is determined to find a lasting solution to the chaotic traffic situation along Apapa axis.
Efforts, she said, were on by the Federal Government and the NPA to improve and sustain efficient road transport network within and around the ports to promote trade, improve cargo delivery and boost the economy.
She expressed concern over the traffic gridlock in Apapa, which has affected access into the ports.
The NPA boss who spoke at a stakeholders meeting held in her office, explained that the bad access roads into Apapa is killing the trade facilitation programme of the government and affects the smooth delivery of cargoes to importers.
NPA, she said, was not happy that all modalities and measure adopted so far had not translated into quick cargo movement in and out of the ports and assured the stakeholders that a positive action would be taken by the NPA in the interest of all and the economy.
