Trucks have been parked on Lagos bridges forever, compounding traffic problems (The Cable)
National

Trucks making life hell for Lagosians aren’t going anywhere soon

The trucks that have been parked on bridges, expressways and every nook and cranny of Ikorodu Road, Apapa, Surulere, Ikeja, Costain, Orile and Oshodi-Apapa expressway in the Lagos metropolis, for over two years, are not about to go anywhere any time soon, Pulse can exclusively report.

A top chieftain of the APC in Lagos who served as a Commissioner in the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration told Pulse on condition of anonymity that the Ambode led government in Lagos is keeping the trucks on the bridges because it is making money off them.

“Do you know that the truck owners pay between N20,000 and N50,000 weekly to the Akinwunmi Ambode led Lagos State government as long as their vehicles are parked on the bridges or on major roads? Have you ever wondered why these trucks were not on those bridges during the Fashola administration in which I served in? We made sure they were never allowed there.

“Ambode won’t clear the trucks because they are now a source of revenue for the Lagos state government. Do you know that the bridges have been weakening because of the load from the trucks? It’s really unfortunate”, this chieftain lamented.

A source of traffic and pain

The articulated trucks and tankers have become a source of pain for Lagosians who now spend hours commuting to work and back.

The trucks have taken over entire lanes or double lanes in most cases, further compounding traffic woes and the frustration in Nigeria’s chaotic commercial capital.

Accidents on roads where the trucks are parked, are also commonplace.

Trucks in Lagos are a nightmare (Punch)

Trucks in Lagos are a nightmare (Punch)

“Yes, we dey pay money to park for here”, confessed one truck driver Pulse spoke with on the Eko bridge, as others converged round him to lend support. Asked how much they were paying, no one was brave enough to tender a figure. “We no like wahala o. Make dem no come drive us comot for this place wey we dey manage”, one or two chorused in unison.

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