Apapa traffic gridlock affecting loading of petroleum product, says NUPENG

THE National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers says the gridlock along Apapa Wharf road was impeding the loading petroleum products from the Apapa depots.

Mr Tokunbo Korodo, Chairman, South-West Chapter of the union, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Korodo said that the poor management of available parking space by tanker drivers might lead to another crisis in the sector.

“The Lagos State Traffic Maintenance Agency (LASTMA) has informed the union of the problem associated with the gridlock.

“We have assured them that the tanker drivers will relocate to the parking bay before the week runs out.

“Some of the trucks have spent a week on queue; we started loading on March 3 and God willing, the gridlock will reduce by late Thursday.

“The gridlock is caused by the scarcity of petrol and the scrambling of our members to position their trucks nearer the source of supply.

“If the supply continues from the depot the gridlock will eventually reduce. We appeal to people using the road to tolerate us for now,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, commercial activities along Apapa-Wharf have been partially closed following the increased number of parked articulated trucks waiting to lift petrol from the NNPC Apapa depot.

Mr Chukwuemeka Okorie, an electronics trader at Kofo Abayomi Street, Apapa, said that his business had suffered because the gridlock had prevented interested customers from patronising him.

In the same vein, Mr Segun Adewale, a resident of Ilasamaja area of Lagos, said that it was very expensive to visit Apapa for any business.

“I have to go back home because I can’t afford to spend N1, 000 to see a friend at Apapa.

“I am appealing to the necessary agencies in charge of maintaining traffic to come and rescue the situation because everywhere is blocked in Apapa-Wharf road,’’ he said.

NAN also reports that motorcycle operators have taken advantage of the traffic situation to increase their fares in the area.

The commercial motorcycle operators popularly called “Okada’’ now charge passengers between N500 to N1, 000 per trip as against N100 and N200 for a short distance. (NAN)