Bala Usman expresses concern over Apapa gridlock

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has expressed concern over the traffic gridlock in Apapa, which has affected access into the ports.

At a stakeholders meeting held in her office, Usman said 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 the economy.

Usman told the stakeholders that the quick rehabilitation of the road remains a priority to her team to reposition the ports and salvage the economy.

While receiving the report on traffic decongestion of Apapa and its environ, the Managing Director appealed to Dangote Construction Company and Flour Mills to expedite action towards early reconstruction of Wharf road as the rainy season is almost over.

Usman also appealed to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and members of the National Assembly to include the reconstruction of Creek Road linking Tin Can Island Port in the 2017 national budget and help to see to the quick completion of the trailer park opposite the Tin Can Island Port to stop haulage trucks from parking on the road.

She also called for synergy between the Federal government, State government and stakeholders to find permanent solution to the perennial gridlock on the road.

Usman urged port users to always subject themselves to security checks at the gates leading to the ports and warned all unauthorised person to keep off the ports or face sanctions.

NPA, she said, would soon introduce measures that will make it impossible for those without genuine business to access the ports.