Traffic jam in Lagos won’t end anytime soon - NUPENG

Tokunbo Korodo, south-west chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), says the harrowing experience of Lagos motorists and commuters arising from the fuel scarcity and gridlock on roads may not end anytime soon. According to Korodo, the trucks causing the gridlock on Eko, Liverpool and Coconut bridges, which has affected other major roads, such as Ikorodu road, may not leave the roads anytime soon despite the directive of the Lagos state govt. Speaking with NAN in Lagos on Thursday, he said that only three depots out of over 50 in the state had petroleum products to dispense. “The development has compelled hundreds of trucks to head for the three depots to lift oil. This is the key reason for the unprecedented traffic jam that has locked down Lagos in recent days.”

Stakeholders at the meeting were NUPENG, petroleum tankers drivers (PID), national association of road transport owners (NARTO), association of maritime truck owners (AMATO) and independent petroleum markers association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Residents in Nigeria’s economic capital have faced tough times trying to buy premium motor spirit, and their woes have been compounded by traffic jams on most roads in the city. Korodo named the three depots currently having oil as capital oil and gas tank farm, ibeto oil and gas tank farm, and integrated oil and gas tank farm, all in the Apapa.

He said the gridlock would ease if trucks queuing for oil would load and leave Lagos by weekend. But observers say such scenario is unlikely. Korodo suggested that the nigerian national petroleum corporation should decentralise loading of petroleum products to ease the pressure on Lagos. “This is the only way Lagos residents can get reprieve from the gridlock, which has forced up transport fares and cost of foodstuff,” he said.

NAN