Closure of Wharf Road without Traffic Control Recipe for Chaos, Says Haastrup

The Chairman of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup has said the failure of the government to deploy a large number of traffic officials to ensure free flow of traffic during the closure of the Wharf Road in Apapa area of Lagos State was a “recipe for chaos”.

Speaking to journalists at the weekend, Haastrup called on the federal government to urgently deploy traffic and security officials “in large numbers” to ensure free flow of traffic in Apapa during the repair of the Ijora-Wharf Road”.

“This is not a matter that should be treated lightly at all. While we commend the Nigerian Ports Authority and the private sector for the repair of the severely damaged Ijora-Wharf Road, we must emphasise the need to ensure free flow of traffic while the repair lasts. We have noticed that anytime a section of the road is closed, everywhere is clogged. The entire port environment is paralysed,” she explained.

“This has a telling effect on the port because what then happens is that truck, which are inside the port, will not be able to come out and if they do not come out to free the space inside the various terminals, trucks on the road will not be able to go in and that is how the chaos builds,” she added.

Haastrup argued that the situation could be brought under control by deploying security and traffic control officials to work in shifts to ensure round the clock traffic flow.

“The control has to happen 24 hours a day to ensure free flow of traffic. Security operatives must also be deployed to support the traffic control officers at all times. If we do not ensure free flow of traffic while the road repair lasts, port congestion might be inevitable. Port congestion is certainly not what Nigeria can afford at these difficult economic times. Port congestion will result in vessel queues - which are already happening - and this comes at a huge cost to the Nigerian economy,” Haastrup said.

The STOAN Chairman said there had not been any form of port congestion since 2006 when the ports were concessioned, stressing that no effort should be spared to ensure that it does not set in at this time.

Hasstrup also said it was wrong to blame any terminal operator for the chaos on the Apapa-Wharf Road, saying terminal operators were also suffering from the effect of the perennial gridlock.

“Terminal operators have nothing to do with the state of the road. If anything, they are the ones sup- porting government to find solution to the problem. Many terminal operators have committed enormous resources to provide palliatives on the road to bring succour to road users. The closure of a lane of the road is bound to take a toll on traffic flow and that is why an effective traffic management system is the solution to the current gridlock,” she said. Haastrup also tasked the government on the development of alternative modes of transport, such as rail and pipeline, to reduce pressure on the roads.

She said that on the long run, there was need to relocate tank farms from Apapa.