SIFAX Group boss urges quick fix of TinCan-Coconut road

The Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, has urged the Federal Government to quickly intervene in fixing the Tin-Can/Coconut port access road to avoid imminent shut down of operations of the Port.

He said the road has become almost impassable, as it is riddled with large craters and ditches, which has made the evacuation and delivery of containers and other consignments by heavy-duty trucks a tortuous experience, while other port users groan daily under the weight of this unbearable condition.

Afolabi noted that if the road is not quickly fixed, there is a looming danger of port congestion, which will negatively affect port operations and ultimately, the country’s economy.

He said: “I want to urge the government to quickly fix the Tin-Can Island Port access Coconut road, even if it is just some form of palliatives. This road has completely broken down, with attendant chaos experienced by road users on a daily basis. Moving containers from the port to bonded terminals at Okota, and other surrounding areas is now an uphill task.

“You will be lucky to make it in about six to eight hours, a journey that normally takes 30 minutes. At times, the road would be completely blocked with no visible movement for hours. Many agents could no longer deliver on their promise to their consignees. We want the government to intervene urgently, and save the industry from this serious infrastructure crisis. A palliative at this time will be in order, even as we look forward to a more sustainable solution to all the roads in Apapa, and other deficient facilities in the port.”

Afolabi also highlighted that the quick intervention in fixing the Tin Can/Coconut port access road will see a significant rise in the revenue accruable to the government by relevant agencies.

He explained that the dwindling revenue from the port is partly due to the deplorable state of the port access road. “When the road is fixed, there will be an increase in the vehicular movement in and out of the ports. Consignees will quickly move their goods out of the port and will come back to get more goods, this will help increase the revenue being generated by the Customs and other relevant agencies at the port,” he said.