After more than two years of relative relief from severe traffic congestion, motorists and commuters in Lagos were on Wednesday trapped in hours-long gridlock as container-laden trucks and fuel tankers occupied major sections of the Mile 2-Berger Yard corridor along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
The development reportedly disrupted traffic flow and blocked access roads within one of the country’s busiest transport and commercial corridors, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and businesses affected.
According to reports, indiscriminate parking by truck drivers on both sides of the road, coupled with reckless driving along the Mile 2-Tin Can route, worsened the situation. Commuters and motorists were forced to endure lengthy delays, with journeys that would ordinarily take less than an hour stretching into several hours.
In response, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) commenced enforcement operations aimed at restoring normal traffic flow and removing trucks obstructing the roadway. The agency warned truck operators against illegal parking and directed them to comply with designated traffic regulations or face sanctions.
LASTMA officials attributed part of the congestion to increased activity around depot access points, where fuel tankers reportedly queued for loading, creating traffic spillovers onto major roads. The agency assured residents that measures were being implemented to restore order and prevent a return to the persistent gridlock that previously characterised the Apapa corridor.
Stakeholders in the petroleum and maritime sectors linked the traffic build-up to increased truck movements following the Sallah celebrations, with many vehicles returning simultaneously to depots and port terminals. They expressed optimism that the congestion would ease as operations normalise and the backlog is cleared.
The latest traffic crisis comes despite ongoing efforts by authorities to eliminate illegal parking, extortion points, and other factors contributing to congestion along the Apapa port corridor. Security agencies and traffic management authorities have pledged continued enforcement to ensure smooth movement of goods and commuters while minimising disruptions to economic activities.
