The Lagos State Government has strengthened enforcement along the Apapa and Lekki port corridors, deploying additional traffic management personnel and introducing a shift system to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of articulated truck movement.
The move is aimed at curbing traffic congestion, improving compliance with the E-Call-Up system and ensuring smoother movement of trucks into and out of the ports.
According to the government, the decision followed a review of the traffic situation and feedback from stakeholders, which identified gaps in the existing enforcement system.
At a strategy meeting held in Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the government had identified areas requiring improvement in the current enforcement system.
He said the Ministry would deploy additional traffic management personnel to the Lekki Port corridor to strengthen compliance with the E-Call-Up system and facilitate the smooth movement of articulated trucks into and out of the port.
Giwa said the improved enforcement strategy had been scheduled for implementation, urging officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to remain committed to their responsibilities and ensure effective traffic management along the two corridors.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olawale Musa, disclosed that LASTMA would introduce a shift system for officers deployed to the Apapa and Lekki port corridors.
According to him, the arrangement would ensure round-the-clock presence of LASTMA personnel along the corridors, while officers found to be underperforming would be redeployed immediately.
Musa warned operators of illegal truck parks around the two port areas to comply with the state’s operational guidelines, stressing the need for all stakeholders to operate within the approved framework.
The Ministry urged truck operators and other stakeholders to voluntarily comply with the E-Call-Up system to help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow around the port corridors.
It warned that pleas for clemency from violators after enforcement would no longer be entertained, indicating that the government intends to adopt a stricter approach to compliance.
The meeting was attended by the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the agency’s Director of Operations, controllers, commanders, officers and other senior personnel responsible for traffic management along the Apapa and Lekki port corridors.