The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, yesterday blamed the chaotic traffic situation in most parts of the state on seaport operators.
Inohimi said that most terminal operators had bluntly refused to provide parking bays for trucks coming into their terminals to do business.
He also noted that the old parking bay located inside the port had been concessioned to private operators, a move he said had denied truck drivers parking space in the port and has led them to parking on the roads, while waiting to be called into the port to load consignments.
The police boss pointed out that “the after-effect of it all is the heavy vehicular movement from the mainland area into Apapa and from Oshodi to the Tin-Can port area.”
Imohimi disclosed that though it was not within the purview of the state command to regulate the operations of truck drivers in the port, the command, in conjunction with officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASMA), had been working assiduously to ensure that the activities of the truck drivers were regulated.
He disclosed that towards this end, a joint task force comprising policemen and officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency would be emplaced to ensure a free flow of traffic during and after the Yuletide season.
The Lagos State police boss, who briefed media men after he paid a courtesy call on the LASTMA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Chris Olakpe, vowed to deal ruthlessly with any driver arrested for violating the state traffic laws.
Imohimi, who briefly stopped at the Maryland junction on Ikorodu Road to control traffic, described that action as “symbolic”, explaining, “I am here to control traffic to us this is to call on Lagosians, especially drivers of private vehicles, commercial buses and okada riders to obey all Lagos State traffic laws.
“I have ordered all Area Commanders and their respective Divisional Police Officers to enforce to the letter all traffic laws. Those arrested will be made to face the wrath of the law.”
He promised that there would be an increased police and LASMA visibility throughout the Christmas period with the emplacement of the new task force.
