Headlines
Jime blames intractable traffic gridlock on port access road on Lagos government toll collection machinery
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), on Tuesday, said physical toll collection by agents of the Lagos State government is fuelling traffic gridlock on the Port access road.
Speaking during an enlarged Presidential Port Standing Task Team meeting and an update on the second phase of operation free the port Corridor along Apapa- Tin-Can- Coconut -Berger yard – Mile2-Orile-Ijora Sifax, the executive secretary of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, urged the Lagos state government to automate its toll collection processes.
The Shippers’ Council boss, however, commended the PSTT officers of clearing the port access road, saying the access roads were filled with shanties allowing extortion.
Though he said he recognised the need for the state government to increase revenue to meet current economic and social challenges, he, however, advised the deployment of technology in the state to enhance the ease of doing business and to make the road free of encumbrances.
He said, “We recognize government resolve to raise revenue whether the state or Local Government. This is important and we needed to recognize that the purpose of the task team was to clear the port corridor of traffic because if we don’t do this, we won’t be able to get efficiency and economies of scale have shown that if we have efficiency the port and government will make more money.
“But, in raising revenue, it has to be done so that ease of doing business is not affected. This is the 21st century, we can collect revenue and deploy technology, we appeal to the government because the method used in collecting toll on the road is outdated, we can find the more ideal way of doing that without impeding traffic,” he said.
However, the Lagos state government said it will be introducing another method for the Lagos State Park and Gardens and the Apapa Local Government officials to collect tolls in other to ease the gridlock on the port access road
The LASG, who was represented by one of the directors in the Ministry of Transportation, Olayinka Sakiru, said residents of Apapa have abandoned the port city due to the heavy traffic it suffered in the past.
He, however, commended the PSTT, saying they have cleared the port access road of traffic which he said has increased the ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports.
He said, “We are also concerned about that toll collection, they (park management) should have another mode of collection instead of being on the road. We will work on that because we know hawking and collection of tolls add to gridlock. We are working on it. Many residents have run away from Apapa because of the gridlock, we have noticed the success of the task team,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the coordinator, Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), Moses Fadipe, said the Port access road was cleared of encumbrances in 32 days.
Fadipe also lamented the activities of transport unions and local government officials that collect tolls on the access road, saying they, as well, impede the free flow of traffic.
“This is a journey we started on the 14th April 2022, with a distance of 2.6km where we have about 26 extortion points. The road seems like a nightmare when we started, but no matter how the problem is, if there is co-operation, they would be able to surmount the problem.”
“Before our operation, the roads were turned into indiscriminate parking lots, mechanic workshops and refuse dumps. We did a lot of education before enforcement and cleared all encumbrances in 32 days.”
He continued, “Local government officials are using the corridor for toll collection. Also, suspended members of NURTW found on the port corridor collecting toll were arrested, as well as, the park managers.”
He, however, bemoaned attacks on members of the task team saying, “We have seen several attacks on the task team, physical and forceful attack, for instance, we have an officer that was attacked, he has been in the hospital for over two weeks,” we thank God he’s alive and not dead,” he stated.
Analyses
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Headlines
NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership
Gloria Odion, Reporter
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.
The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.
He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.
“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”
He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.
“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.
“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”
As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.
The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.
Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.
A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.
The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.
Customs
Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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