Apapa Gridlock: Navy orders truck drivers to vacate bridges
The Nigerian Navy has commenced work to rid the bridges around Apapa end of Lagos Mainland of trucks.
The military had, two weeks ago, given the directive that truck drivers vacate the bridges in order to improve flow of traffic in the area.
Some truck drivers plying the route have begun to adhere to the directive, relocating to other roads and inner streets.
Some others, however, continue to dismiss the directive, claiming they have nowhere to go.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah, insists that the navy would not allow any truck to stay on the bridges.
“We are doing the enforcement in batches. If we cover all the bridges at once, there will be standstill in Lagos and we do not want that to happen. My men worked at Berger and Otto Wharf axis today (Monday). All the trucks on the bridges up to Boundary have been moved. Those at Orile are being moved in batches of 10 or 20,” he said.
He added that: “Also, we have ensured that there is no static truck on the bridge leading into Apapa from Western Avenue. We would go after those ones still on Eko Bridge.
“The directive remains that we do not want trucks on Lagos bridges and we would not stop until they comply. I am meeting with the leadership of NUPENG and those of trailer drivers again on Tuesday.”
