Apapa: A port city eaten up in shameful disorderliness

Apapa in Lagos State is one of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria with a projected population of 307,100 (2015), according to the National Population Commission. Notwithstanding this doubtful population figure, Apapa is a major port city located to the west of Lagos Island. Apapa has container terminals, several tank farms, commercial banks, shipping and customs clearing agencies, primary and secondary schools, as well as businesses in the hospitality sector. Apart from various military and police units located in Apapa, unconfirmed sources have it that the port city has investments worth more than $10 billion.

As a maritime nation, port operations are very key to Nigerian economy. An examination of the impact of port operations on the Nigerian economy conducted by experts’ show that more than 75 percent of goods imported into Nigeria come into the country through Apapa ports in 2017. Apapa and Tin Can ports operate less than full capacity, according to terminal operators because of gridlock and other operational/logistics problems. Unfortunately, Nigeria loses fortunes to over-dependence on Apapa ports while other sea ports within the country are underutilised.

The Apapa gridlock is not a permanent feature but appears on and off like a toggle switch. I remember my days in public service shortly before retirement in 2014, it was a challenge getting to my office at Apapa. At that time, the incessant gridlock at the port city was frustrating and devastating. The situation was bad that many organisations had to relocate their offices to other parts of the State. Indeed, many companies shut down because accessibility to their business for customers became an issue.

It is worrisome that three executive governors of Lagos state-retired and serving-Fashola, Ambode and Sanwo-Olu- have at one time or the other given direct orders either in situ or outside the port area to truck owners and truckers to leave the roads leading to the port city. The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari on different occasions also gave direct executive orders to truck owners and truckers to leave the roads for ease of traffic in the port city. Unfortunately, these orders fell on deaf ears. Those who are familiar with the port city have a feeling that something is wrong somewhere. The disorderliness in Apapa gives an impression that the port city is an ungoverned space in Lagos State. Today, the aesthetic of Apapa as a port city has been significantly compromised.

Who is to blame? Is the disorderliness at Apapa a failure of the Nigerian ports Authority (NPA) that governs and operates the ports? What about the concessionaires, and security personnel deployed to manage the deplorable situation in Apapa and within the ports? Why is it difficult for mere mortals to submit to constituted authorities? Your guess is as good as mine because we are in a society where most people- rich and poor- find it difficult to obey the law. May be the truck owners and truckers want a court injunction before they can take their trucks off the roads leading to the ports? It is a pity that most Nigerians have not imbibed the culture of compliance.

 Your guess is as good as mine because we are in a society where most people- rich and poor- find it difficult to obey the law. May be the truck owners and truckers want a court injunction before they can take their trucks off the roads leading to the ports?

 

Since truck owners and truckers found it convenient to disobey constituted authority at state and federal levels, a Presidential Task Force was set up by the federal government to put an end to the gridlock.  Although, the task force achieved some success initially, its achievements have become a “mere flash in the pan.” The initial success accomplished by the Presidential Task Force is not followed by significant accomplishments. It is now business as usual with all the pain and stress that define Apapa as a port city characterised by shameful disorderliness.

Apapa’s gridlock has become a national embarrassment such that port operators and all stakeholders had to go spiritual in order to use main access road- Ijora/Wharf Road. Going spiritual has not solved the man-made gridlock because God is not a man; He cannot be mocked. The feeling one has is that nobody is in charge of Apapa. Or is it that truck owners and truckers do not understand the directives from constituted authority?

At the time of writing, the traffic chaos in Apapa is back in full force. It is in a chaotic condition. Apapa has moved away from orderliness because of corruption. The behaviour of truck owners and truckers including port operators leaves much to be desired. Some members of security agencies deployed to the port city to assist in easing traffic are caught in a web of activities unbecoming of their professional calling. This is a reflection of our society.

It is really sad that most Nigerians do not obey orders especially when such directives are in the overall interest of the country. A pity, you may say. That the gridlock in Apapa has not been cleared after several efforts by the Federal and Lagos State governments as well as stakeholders has left much to be desired about governance in the country.

A German-born political philosopher, Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) once said that “the sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be either good or evil”. Arendt during her life time believed firmly that meaningful action depends on careful thought. The chaos in Apapa is very embarrassing that this article has to be written with the belief that those in authority are thinking about the best possible solution to the problem. The outlook of Apapa today reflects failure of the nation’s infrastructure and in particular the transport system. The gridlock presents problems of urban transit with attendant consequence on safety of lives and properties.

The economy, environment and people in the port city are negatively affected because of Apapa’s gridlock. Apapa is turned upside down and business in this part of Lagos State cannot thrive on chaos at a time both the state and federal governments need more revenue to implement the 2020 Budget. The port city is eaten up in shameful disorderliness. Perhaps, the time is ripe for the Federal and Lagos State governments to display a strong confrontational character to dislodge the insanity that has eaten deep into the skin of some “powerful individuals” who perpetrate disorderliness in the port city. Thank you!