APAPA-OSHODI EXPRESSWAY: LAGOS IMPOUNDS 60 TRUCKS

The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the police and military men, yesterday impounded 60 trailers and tankers parked indiscriminately on the expressway, following the expiration of the deadline given to them on illegal parking of trucks on Oshodi-Apapa expressway.

The State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko led the operation to clear the expressway.

Daily Sun gathered that the exercise began at 12.00a.m, when the commissioner led the police, military officers and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI officers to dislodge the truckers.

Some of the truckers had already vacated the expressway, while the ultimatum was still on, but the recalcitrant ones waited until they were dislodged in the early hours of yesterday.

Task force Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman told journalists that the exercise was massive and led by the Commissioner for Police.

He said there was no resistance from the truckers, as their trucks were being towed by the task force and others.

He said the exercise was aimed at restoring Apapa to its former glory, saying there was no way shanties could be left standing in the area, as well as indiscriminate parking.

According to him, those inhabiting the shanties and the tankers would never return again, as 24 hours surveillance would be mounted, just like it was done in Oshodi, Mushin and Obalende.

Daily Sun observed that there was a strong presence of policemen, task force, Navy, LASTMA and other security agents while the exercise lasted.

General Manager, LASTMA, Babatunde Edu confirmed that 60 trucks had been towed so far, saying the exercise would be on a continuous basis.

He said all the trucks parked along the road from Apapa Wharf to Liverpool were cleared, saying the entire axis was now free.

Motorists plying the route have heaped praises on the state government for rising to the challenge by dislodging the tankers.

For over five years, the tanker and trailer drivers had taken over the expressway and converted it to parking lot, leaving a single lane for motorists to ply while in most cases several stand-still had been witnessed in the area.

Motorists plying the route ended up spending over four hours between Berger Yard and Wharf for a journey that should last for about 15 minutes.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State had a week ago issued seven days ultimatum to truckers parking on the expressway to vacate or have their vehicles tolled.