Lagos State Commissioner Of Police, Kayode Aderanti, Has Set Up A Special Task Force To Clear The Endemic Traffic Gridlock Along The Oshodi – Apapa Expressway.

According to the police boss, ”We are going to deploy our men with full force to ensure that tanker drivers will no longer constitute a menace on that road. We are aware of the inconveniences and sufferings of people for long there and we have decided to take the bull by the horns this time around.He told Vanguard exclusively that the task force will be saddled with the responsibility of maintaining a passable space both at the service and fast lanes of the six-lane expressway, which has been undergoing rehabilitation for long.

“It will be a combined effort by our men from the command headquarters in Ikeja and their counterparts from Festac, Trinity, Kirikiri, Mile 2 and Orile divisions and they will be saddled with the responsibility of making sure that, at least, we have one free lane both at the service and fast portions of the road for motorists to easily pass through.”

Vanguard noticed yesterday that already, the team may have swung into action by creating only one passable lane at the service portion of the road from Mile 2 Bridge to Berger Yard. Unfortunately, that has not eased the gridlock as the unrepentant truck drivers still block the express way and other lanes, forcing motorists to spend endless hours under the scorching sun on the expressway.

A motorist, whose office is at Kirikiri Area told Vanguard that the drivers have shut down many businesses, causing deaths through accidents and exhibited tendencies that create health hazards.

According to him, the truck drivers defecate by road sides as they stay long hours and days on the road. Armed robbers prowl with ease and people are scared of passing by the road even on foot, especially at night.

Another motorist said, “If they want to succeed, they should start by controlling truck drivers from Fatgbems Filling station point of the expressway. From there, they should ensure that the drivers maintain one lane.

”Another major problem is the menace caused by a group task force officials of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, who incessantly block the tankers on the pretext of collecting tolls at any point on the express way thereby creating obstruction.

”Efforts of the Navy and Police has done little to alleviate the terrible situation. If the police task force should succeed, they should check the activities of this unruly thugs along the expressway.”