Apapa traffic gridlock has caused an unquantifiable loss to the economy – Ajayi
By Okezie Nnadi
The Apapa traffic gridlock has brought many businesses to a halt, many businesses have either left the port area prostrate, while those still managing to survive around this port city have their many chapters of tales of woes.
Addressing participants at a two day summit organized by the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), on the perennial Apapa traffic gridlock recently at the Rock view Hotel Lagos, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalist Lagos Council, Mr Leye Ajayi said the gridlock has brought the nation’s economy to its knees.
According to the NUJ Chairman, “the gridlock has also contributed to the high cost of goods in the country.” Remember, Lagos ports account for about 80 per cent of cargo throughout ( import and export )in the country.
Continuing, Ajayi attributed the lull in businesses in A papa to the raging traffic melee,
” As a result of the biting gridlock, many businesses have since collapsed while some others have left the A papa corridors. This has resulted into huge job loss and even lives.”
He continued by saying that, ” even the commercial banks in the ports’ district are groaning that the gridlock has shrunk their level of customer patronage. A huge number of small and medium (SMEs) have relocated from the port environment.
Few still gasping for breath within the port environment complained about losses running into billions of naira,” he narrated.
Ajayi called on the Federal Government to boost the road infrastructure in view of the increasing volume of activities on both Apapa and TinCan ports.
Speaking earlier, the amiable MAJAN President, who also doubles as the Editor- In – chief, The powerful pen Newspaper, Comrade Ray Ugochukwu says “residents of A papa may not be able to finish their tales of woe concerning the traffic even by the next Century. Presently in A papa, real estate business is at almost zero level with more than half of building in the area remaining unoccupied. While some hitherto thriving businesses have folded up or relocated. All because of the traffic nightmare,” he bemoaned
the traffic gridlock which he said has caused high inflation in the country.
On his part, the Nagaff Academy registrar, Mr Francis Omotosho says our management system is obsolete and should be reviewed along current technologies.
The Summit ended with lots of the participants calling on the concerned authorities to live up to their responsibilities by implementing laudable measures put forward in this Summit.
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