The Story Your path to the story
Hassan Akanbi
Following the implementation of the-call-up system promised by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Presidential Task Team on restoration of law and order on Apapa, Nigerians have begun to commend the VP for the free traffic flow occasioned by the disappearance of stationary trucks and other articulated vehicles on the axis.
The torrents of commendation began on Sunday when some stakeholders took to social media to commend Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for solving the Apapa gridlock that has plagued the nation’s seaport and its environs for many years.
They hailed the presidency and indeed the Lagos State Government for finding a lasting solution to the perennial gridlock that have hampered businesses and claimed the lives of many Nigerians.
On his Twitter, Wale Micaiah, who had previously had a hectic time going through the road provided a status update. He expressed joy with the current experience on the axis saying,“Update on Apapa. Dear VP Osinbajo and Governor Sanwo-Olu, I can testify that roads leading to Apapa now wear a new look. The containers on the bridges are far from sight and driving through Marine Beach today was a new experience. Thank you” .
On her part, Lauretta Nnaji, another Twitter user, said Prof. Osinbajo’s impact as chair of the Presidential Taskforce was more than ridding Apapa of trucks. “For those asking what had changed since VP Osinbajo visited Apapa, here are a few things I can point to: Apapa rail extension completed. Cargo terminal and Tincan trailer park built. One port dredge and berthed the biggest cargo to ever enter Nigeria,” she twitted.
Other stakeholders lauded the enforcement of law and order in the movement of tankers, trucks and other heavy duty vehicles in Apapa and its environs.
Speaking with The Story, a trucker, Usman Musa, welcomed the development, saying the electronic solution had brought an end to years of agony he and many of his colleagues had faced on the route. It’s a new lease of life for truck operations around the seaports, he stated.
Musa said:“If anyone had told me there would be a time when traffic at Marine Beach would flow freely as being seen today (Monday), I would contest it. The last four years were agonising for most of us working in this area. I used to spend three hours for 15 minutes journey,” Musa said.
Applauding the progress recorded, Olaitan Bolakale prayed for the sustainance of the current situation in Apapa. He said that the innovation introduced had reorganised the chaotic operation of trucks around the seaports.
Also commending the VP Osinbajo for coming up with a lasting solution to Apapa gridlock. Mr Uche Kingsley said that the old system had only brought us pain and sorrow but with the sanity restored on the axis, business will be conducted without tears.
With the restoration of law and order, he said property would be appreciated and because me more valuable, saying those who had earlier abandoned the axis would now return.Also commenting on the development, Rachel Banke, a Twitter user also had a say in the matter when she twitted:“#ApapaDelivered. Great news as the Apapa gridlock has been cleared. Thanks to the intervention of the presidential team headed by Osinbajo. Also, kudos to the Lagos State government for their hardwork in restoring stability to Apapa.”
Midas Hand commended both the Vice President and Lagos governor. “I’m very sure some people are not happy about the progress at Apapa. VP Osinbajo has delivered the best. And a very big thank you to Governor Sanwo-Olu too and everyone who worked on this project.”
