Nigeria loses N140B weekly to Apapa traffic gridlock, but no one seems to care

The recurring brazenness and reckless blocking of major roads by articulated truck and tanker drivers in Lagos State are threatening the quality of life and economy of many; even as individuals and corporate bodies alike seem helpless.

Even relevant authorities have left the situation to fate, but the condition is getting to an insane level at the moment. More than ever before, the collateral damages and costs associated with this act are fast becoming unbearable for the survival of the economy of Lagos and quality of lives of residents.

Embarking on daily business and personal related journey along the ever-busy Lagos Island-Apapa Bridge is now a nightmare for residents who ply the route for work and business purposes, thus crippling business activities in the commercial city.

Hence, the continuous occupation of these locations by high-tonnage trucks is only bringing doomsday closer if nothing is done to reverse the trend. The economic tracks created by this logjam is high as most workers lose an average of $5(N1500)/hour of productivity man-hour to the traffic gridlock on the Apapa-Costain route.

For an average worker who wastes at least 12 hours in traffic, it accrues to $60(N9000) loss or impacts his little income. For commuters with private cars, the cost is higher as it also includes the cost of fuel burnt while being stranded in this traffic.

Any hope of the situation abating? The answer is best provided by the response of the Chairman of Association of Maritime Truck Owners and National Association of Road Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi.

“There is no designated truck park where we can stay until we can be allowed to move. All these infrastructures have to be put in place before they can start implementing such a policy. As it is, the current situation will have a negative effect on the economy of the nation.”

Irrespective of this obvious negative impact on the State’s economy, the government and relevant authorities still feel uncomfortable about the situation. For all you know, businesses and residents pay all the cost. Aside from the cost to individuals, businesses in this environment are facing a hard time managing logistic operations and cost.

Many businesses have to set up warehouses within a residential settlement, thus pushing up the price of rents and property in many suburban areas of the State. Residential and corporate users have to compete for few available spaces that save them from the indiscriminate actions of these ‘lords of the road’.

The high cost of business operations is transferred to the residents in the form of high prices of goods and services, thus making the hardship on the residents more life-threatening. As the quality of life gets affected, the welfare and access to basic needs such as shelter and food become more difficult. All of these due to the reckless actions of the truck drivers.

For Businesses, the accumulated economic loss is estimated at N20 billion daily. “The economy loses more than N20 billion daily and N140 billion weekly. It affects businesses across the country,” says Dangote on the impact of the road blockade by truck and tanker drivers in Apapa. Many functional businesses along this road have shut down due to the unending blockade, turning the booming commercial community of Apapa into a ghost of its former self.

To this end, many jobs and wealth creation opportunities are being lost to this avoidable situation. Having a centre park for these trucks and tankers will help residents of the State to escape the daily psychological and financial drain that they are made to face.