The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman has decried the poor port access roads in the country.
To ameliorate the situation, she appealed to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and members of the National Assembly to include the reconstruction of Creek Road linking Tin Can Island Port in the 2017 budget appropriation.
She also called for the quick completion of the trailer park opposite the Tin-Can port to keep the haulage trucks away from the road.
Usman stated who stated this while receiving the report on traffic decongestion of Apapa and its environs in her office called on Messrs Dangote Construction Nigeria Limited and the Management of Flowers Mills Nigeria Limited to expedite action on the reconstruction of Wharf Road as the raining season is about to end.
She expressed concern over the traffic gridlock in Apapa, which has affected access into the ports adding that the bad access roads into Apapa is killing the trade facilitation programme of the government and affecting the smooth delivery of cargoes to importers.
NPA, she said, was not happy that all modalities and measure adopted so far had not translated into quick cargo movement in and out of the ports and assured the stakeholders that a positive action would be taken by the NPA in the interest of all and the economy.
Usman told the stakeholders that the quick rehabilitation of the road remains a priority to her team to reposition the ports and salvage the economy.
She also called for synergy between the Federal, state and stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the perennial gridlock on the road urging port users to always subject themselves to the security checks at the gates leading to the ports and warned all unauthorised person intruding into the ports to stop or face sanctions.
NPA, she said, would soon introduce measures that will make it impossible for those without genuine business to access the ports.
NPA, Usman said, would continue to hold meetings with stakeholders to workout modalities on “measures” to be adopted to resolve the gridlock in the interest of all stakeholders and the nation’s economy.
The Federal Government, according to her, is determined to find a lasting solution to the chaotic traffic situation along Apapa adding that the Federal Government and the NPA were making effort to improve and sustain efficient road transport network within and around the ports to promote trade, improve cargo delivery and boost the economy.
