Compt Nnadi applauds Governor Sanwo-Olu on disappearance of perennial traffic gridlock at port access road

Compt Nnadi applauds Governor Sanwo-Olu on disappearance of perennial traffic gridlock at port access road

…Lauds, CGC Adeniyi, NPA Boss, security agencies on collaborative efforts to clean the port road

….Rakes in N240.3bn revenue

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, has applauded the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his proactiveness in clearing the perennial traffic gridlock on the port access road.

Compt Nnadi gave this commendation during a strategic press conference, held at TinCan Command, on Friday, March 15, 2024, to showcase massive seizures of arms, ammunition and dangerous substances made by the Command, in its commitment to protect the economic environment from nefarious activities of economic saboteurs.

Speaking further, Compt Nnadi, known to be very pragmatic and a goal-getter, commended the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Mr Bello-Koko, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and other security agencies for their collaborative efforts in clearing the traffic gridlock and cleaning the heaps of refuse, which for many years had hindered easy access to the nation’s sea port, thereby taking its toll on maritime trade within Apapa axis.

Speaking further, the action Comptroller described Sanwo-Olu as a State Governor with a huge political will to promote development. He equally thanked the NPA MD for his tremendous support in working tirelessly to ensure free flow of traffic on the port corridor.

His words : “The greatest glory goes to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who gave the political will to ensure the exercise succeeded.

“We had meetings with NPA, exporters, importers, shipping lines and freight forwarders. We thank the media for highlighting the challenges we faced on the port access road. The good thing now is that the road had been cleared and the heaps of refuse removed for us to have sanity around the port corridor.

“Since 2017, that corridor was not in use because of the menace of truck drivers leaving their vehicles on the major road. We thank Lagos government, the Customs CG and other security agencies that helped in this exercise

“Opening this corridor will increase cargo throughput,  in order to enhance trade facilitation and more revenue collection for government.”

Our reporter, on her way to TinCan Port, observed free flow of traffic from mile-2 Bridge to TinCan first gate, up to Apapa wharf road. A journey, which used to take several hours before due to traffic gridlock, took only 15 minutes from mile-2 to TinCan Command.

Recall that before now, the traffic gridlock on the port access road appeared to have defied all solutions, as several interventions by the Federal Government to tackle the menace of tanker drivers on Apapa road were unsuccessful. For years, that chaotic traffic situation on the port access road hindered trade facilitation, destroyed businesses, even as numerous port users lost their lives on that same road. The situation then brought total disorder and confusion to the port road.

As such, the efforts of Lagos State government, NPA, the Customs management and all those involved in clearing the traffic gridlock must be highly appreciated for making what seemed impossible a reality.

More so, on revenue collection, the Command raked in over N240.3million for the period of January 2024 till date.

The CAC informed :  “The Command realised a total of N88.4billion in the month of January 2024, this is 7.89 percent higher than the value of N42.5billion collected the previous year in January 2023.

“In the month of February 2024, the Command generated N100,399,354,887billion, which is 41.82percent higher than the value collected on the same period in 2023, which is N41,518,738,649.09billion.”