Tankers take over Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos (photo credit: Twitter)
Police in Lagos state are set to begin ”Operation Restore Sanity” on Friday to free Apapa-Oshodi Expressway of gridlock.
Motorists and commuters who ply the route are lamenting, blaming the gridlock on trucks, which have taken over the entire six lanes of the highway.
Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, made this known on Thursday after meeting with some stakeholders, including other relevant agencies in Lagos.
“The problem which gave rise to the sorry state of roads linking the ports is not limited to mere blocking of roads or activities of tank-farms with no holding bays for trucks,” the police chief told reporters.
“It will be irresponsible and wicked to allow Lagosians to continue with the hardship without coming up with a joint effort to ease the flow of traffic.
“This is why we have sat together with relevant agencies to launch “Operation Restore Sanity on Lagos Roads” which will kick off on Friday by midnight.
“The police will be deploying 1,000 policemen as the operation will be to move trucks and containers from bridges and roads to designated locations for ease of traffic.
“This operation needs a lot of manpower and requires cooperation of all sectors in charge of transport.”
Edgal commended Lagosians for their patience, promising that the patience would pay off in a matter of days.
“Between now and Monday, there will be free movement of motorists, and Lagosians will have easy access to their work and homes.
“On Monday, we will go to another level of engagement with relevant authorities so that we don’t have a repeat,” he said.
He also called on maritime workers not to go ahead with their planned strike.