Apapa gridlock: Extortion causes nightmare, losses for importers

  • ‘We pay about N250,000 to police to drive against traffic’
  • We’ll report culprits to IGP – Sanwo-Olu
  • Over 500,000 containers trapped

Despite many actions taken by the Federal Government, including the disbandment of the Presidential Task Team for the Decongestion of the Port, extortion by security operatives has continued, contributing to the traffic congestion at the Apapa Tin Can Island Port.

The hour-long drive from Mile 2 to the Tin Can Island Port still takes up to two weeks for trucks laden with containers or flat back and petroleum products tankers, findings by Daily Trust revealed.

Uniformed men, especially those purportedly working for the disbanded task team, have been blamed for this by truck drivers and importers.

The escalating incidents of corrupt practices involving uniformed men, particularly the police and those from the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), have led to various forms of protests by truck drivers, which Daily Trust has captured in a series of reports.

Part of the extortion scheme is the aiding and abetting of illegal use of the Apapa outward lane by truck drivers or owners who pay bribes of about N250, 000 to the uniformed agents.

Read More: https://dailytrust.com/apapa-gridlock-extortion-causes-nightmare-losses-for-importers

Ifah Sunday Ele
Ifah Sunday Ele
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