Lagos Govt restricts truck movement to 9pm-6am

Lagos State Government has announced restriction on movement of truck and trailers on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway and other parts of the state to night time.

This was made known in a statement by Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday.

He quoted the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, as saying truck drivers would ply routes in the state only between 9pm and 6am daily.

 He noted that the move was crucial to ease the traffic gridlock especially along the Apapa axis of the state.

 “The Lagos State Government has proposed the implementation of route restrictions for trailer and truck drivers operating within the state, while their movement periods are restricted to night time.

Oladeinde said the current administration had mapped out dedicated routes to be plied between 9pm and 6am daily.

“He elaborated that the move was necessary as the Apapa in Lagos had been rendered less profitable for investors due to the gridlock and activities of truck drivers along the axis, appealing to the stakeholders to cooperate with the state government to remedy the situation.

 “Oladeinde urged them to put aside their sentiments and think of other motoring public as the policy was not meant to cause rancour, but geared towards opening up the state for greater economic realities.”

“The commissioner implored the stakeholders to see issues raised as work in progress while noting that discussions with the unions are ongoing until the grey areas are cleared.”

Criminal activities have been perpetrated in and around the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, including rape, theft and kidnapping owing to gridlock experienced around the area.

President Muhammadu Buhari had set up a task team headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to find a lasting solution to the gridlock.

The team gave a 72-hour ultimatum to truck drivers to vacate the area.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also on assumption of office in 2019 had visited the area with the promise to ease the traffic but the situation has remained unchanged.