Consultant appeals for quick repair of port road in Lagos
NAN-HE-19
Port
By Uchenna Eletuo
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2017 (NAN) A maritime security consultant, Mr Ike Uche has urged the Federal Government to fix the roads leading to the ports in Lagos, to prevent impending shut down of operations.
Uche, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He also raised concern over the damaging impact the poor state of Tincan/Coconut section of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway was having on businesses in the port.
He alleged that businesses within the area were dwindling while some were closing shops because of the traffic situation.
“I want to appeal to the government to quickly fix the port access road, even if it is just some form of palliatives; this road has completely broken down, with attendant chaos experienced by road users.
“You will be lucky to make it in six to eight hours, a journey that normally takes 30 minutes some times; the road would be completely blocked with no visible movement for hours.
“ Many agents can no longer deliver on their promises to their consignees. We want the government to intervene urgently and save the industry from this serious infrastructure crisis”, he said.
According to him, a palliative at this time would be in order, pending a more sustainable solution.
“The cost effect of total close-down of the ports for traffic as being witnessed now will amount to a colossal economic damage hence the need to nip the trend in the bud,” Uche said.
He said that the traffic crisis posed great risk for both cargoes and truck drivers, with many of them spending days on the road with loaded vehicles.
He said fixing the road would reduce commuting time for drivers as well as increase revenue yield for all who use the road.
NAN reports that the roads currently undergoing reconstruction has worsened the traffic situation, as no exit was provided by the handling firms.(NAN)
EUC/AO/EAL
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Edited by Angela Okisor/Ekemini Ladejobi