The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Usman, said the traffic gridlock within Apapa is affecting access into the ports and killing trade facilitation programme of government.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held in her office, she said the bad access roads into Apapa is killing the trade facilitation programme of the government and seriously affecting the smooth delivery of cargoes to importers.

In her words “NPA is not happy that all modalities and measures adopted so far have not translated into quick cargo movement in and out of the ports,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the managing director as saying. She told the stakeholders that a positive action would be taken by the NPA in the interest of all and the economy.

Decrying the situation, the NPA Managing Director said “Apapa road blocked by Tankers, Apapa road blocked by Tank Farms, the quick rehabilitation of the road remains a priority management team to reposition the ports and salvage the economy’’.

She received the report on traffic decongestion of Apapa and its environs. The managing director appealed to Messrs. Dangote Construction Nig. Ltd and the Management of Flour Mills Nig. Ltd. to expedite action toward an early reconstruction of Wharf Road.

Usman also appealed to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and members of the National Assembly to include the reconstruction of Creek Road linking Tin-Can Island Port in the 2017 budget. She said the minister and the lawmakers should help to see to the quick completion of the trailer park opposite the Tin-Can Port to keep the trucks away from the road.

Usman also called for synergy between the Federal and State Governments as well as stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the perennial gridlock on the road. She urged port users to always subject themselves to security checks at the gates leading to the ports and warned that unauthorized persons intruding into the ports should stop or face sanctions.

The managing director disclosed that NPA would soon introduce measures that would make it impossible for those without genuine business to access the ports. She also assured that she will 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.

Usman stated that the  Federal Government was determined to find a lasting solution to the chaotic traffic situation along Apapa axis as efforts were being made 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 in order to better the economy.