APAPA TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK: Military Police Takes Over Routes To Lagos Ports

Even though traffic was still not flowing as expected on the two approaches to the two seaports in Lagos, there was absolute orderliness and compliance by tanker and container-laden truck drivers yesterday. The sanity was because military personnel have taken charge of traffic control.

Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that the deployment of the military police along the two routes was as a result of the current security challenges in the country, coupled the chaotic traffic gridlock.

However, officials the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were not sighted by our correspondent, even as some motorists kicked against the engagement of LASTMA officials, arguing that they should give way for the military to manage the traffic situation within the seaports and tank farm environment.

Kitted in their traditional green and red berets, Shipping Position Dailycorrespondent observed the presence of military police in all major roads leading to the seaports which include Boundary Road in Ajegunle, Wharf Road connecting Liverpool Road down to the Tin Can Island port, engendered some level of sanity among motorists.

Alhough the soldiers were not armed, but the drivers obeyed their instructions .It was however gathered that more military men from the rank of sergeants and below are on duty even as the trucks were seen in a single line while smaller vehicles used the remaining portion of the highway.

A sergeant who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity sarcastically said it was the beginning of orderliness on the routes connecting the ports, and even the tank farms.

The military man however said that the traffic gridlock will soon disappear from the roads and people working and leaving in Apapa will have course to smile again.

"I cannot speak more than what I just told you for security reasons, but I will just assure you that the traffic problem in Apapa is over", he told our correspondent.
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