The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has asked the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to revive existing Ports in other States of the federation.

He said that this will solve the existing traffic congestion at the Apapa axis of the State.

The governor stated this on Tuesday during a town hall meeting in Ibeju Lekki Local Government.

He said the recent chaos witnessed in the area was beyond traffic issues, saying that concerted efforts must be made to revamp moribund ports.

According to him, it is beyond getting other ports up and running, the issue of tankers queuing up to lift petroleum products from Tank Farms in Apapa was also a major issue causing gridlock and damaging road infrastructure in the area, which was affecting the economic growth of not just the State, but Nigeria in general.

“It would be very unfair to Lagosians if I don’t talk about issues relating to traffic management and integrated transport management most especially what we have witnessed in the last one week in Apapa, but again I would like to tell Lagosians that every stakeholder that is ‎relevant to resolving the Apapa crisis, we have gone to work and you can see that there is a major improvement.

“But again, this issue has become perennial and in the last six years, it’s always been there, it comes and goes, but the challenge is to be able to find a permanent solution and in that reason Mr. President had directed the Vice President to come and see what the situation is and to actually give us a permanent solution.

“We are grateful Mr. President, we believe strongly that every layer of government should collaborate to be able to resolve this Apapa crisis.

“But we all must know that Apapa crisis is more than traffic issues. That is where all States depend on for revenue through Customs because the revenue is shared at FAAC.

“If anything goes wrong in the Port, whatever they get from Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) could reduce,” Governor Ambode said.

He said the Apapa congestion was a national issue that required urgent attention, the Governor also noted that oil pipelines should be revived to discourage the trend of thousands of trucks coming from other parts of the country to lift petroleum products from Apapa.

“It is bad that we still use trucks to lift petroleum products from Apapa to other parts of the country.

“As it is now, other ports in Nigeria must begin to work immediately to decongest gridlock in Lagos.‎ Whatever has led to the continual use of trucks to lift fuel, which is, vandalism of pipeline should be addressed immediately.

“We believe that this will allow the roads to become free. We don’t need to continuously use taxpayers’ money to build the road that was destroyed by tankers. We call on the Minister of Petroleum and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to work towards reviving the pipelines,” he said.

The Governor also expressed concern about the approval for the development of tank farms in Ijegun area of Lagos, saying that as much as the State supports redistribution of tank farms, such should be located in areas that are not populated.

“We don’t need tank farms within Lagos metropolis anymore. There are 68 tank farms in Apapa alone. That is a serious danger waiting to happen. Beyond Apapa, they have approved tank farms in Ijegun axis and that is where we have a huge population.

“We need to redistribute tank farm establishment to outer borders and other parts. This is what we believe should be done at this moment to free Lagos roads,” he said.

Speaking on the efforts of his administration to develop the economy of the State, Governor Ambode said his administration has continued to keep faith with its mandate to ensure that the future of Lagos remains on a sound pedestal.

He said the Town Hall meeting, which had moved round the three senatorial districts in the State from its first edition held on October 6, 2015, has continued to provide the Government with first-hand information on the needs of the people and how best to solve them.

“Our promise from the very beginning was that we are going to give you a government of inclusion and it’s very clear that we are on track. When we look at our scorecard, which is to keep Lagos on a trajectory of growth and development, we are on that track.

“We are happy to be here. We are everywhere meeting the needs of our people, asking them what the issues are and wanting to respond positively to those issues. Yes, we are not perfect, we would try our best but our people know that we are doing things that would create prosperity for their future,” Governor Ambode said.

Giving an insight on the next plan of action for the Ibeju Lekki axis, Governor Ambode also said the construction of the Epe Airport and reconstruction of the Coastal Road were very much on course, adding that the dualization of the Eleko Junction to the T-Junction would commence in January 2019, while the 27 network of roads in Ojokoro, Ayinke House, among others would be completed before the next quarter.

The Governor, while thanking traditional rulers, community heads and residents of Ibeju Lekki for their unflinching support towards the advancement of the multibillion-dollar projects ongoing in the Lekki Free Trade Zone assured that all issues relating to compensation would be resolved before the end of the week.

Governor Ambode also announced the commencement of recruitment of 1,000 teachers in the State, adding that more would be recruited as the need arises.

Taking questions from residents, Governor Ambode said his administration would go back to the drawing board and respond accordingly to issues raised, appealing to residents to be patient as the Government would continue to deliver more life-changing projects to make life more comfortable for the people.

A physically challenged resident and a graduate of Computer Studies, Micheal Ogunyemi who said he had been jobless for five years could not hold back his joy as the Governor directed the Civil Service Commission to grant him immediate employment from August 1, while relevant agencies were directed to address various issues raised by residents.

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/07/25/apapa-gridlock-revive-ports-in-other-states-ambode-tells-fg/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=ChannelsTv&utm_campaign=SNAP%2Bfrom%2BChannels+Television

Very good we are hearing from the holder's mouth. FG is either you build other ports or hand them over to state or shareholders or Nigeria remain in economic chaos.

Clowns talking.
Develop other seaports and see lagos turn to empty state.
The fear of tinubu by bubu is the fear of wisdom

what of PORT Harcourt

I hope igbos are listening? We are not against ports opening in other parts of Nigeria ooo—especially the East. Yorubas are not that hateful towards igbos.

We want the best for igbos. I hope this lays the matter of Yorubas hindering against development of Eastern ports to rest. We don’t want to hear such baseless accusations from igbos again.

Let me sharpen my cutlass and wait for any sick man that will try to open another port anywhere in the south apart from Lagos.

All the ports must remain in Lagos till 2099. You think you can be wicked? Let's see who will suffer pass.

Ndi nko.

resurgent2019:
I hope igbos are listening? We are not against ports opening in other parts of Nigeria ooo—especially the East. Yorubas are not that hateful towards igbos.

We want the best for igbos. I hope this lays the matter of Yorubas hindering against development of Eastern ports to rest. We don’t want to hear such baseless accusations from igbos again.

We also love you back but the ports should stay in Lagos, you must choke on your greed

Sprumbabafather:


We also love you back but the ports should stay in Lagos, you must choke on your greed

What are you saying? What greed?

Redoil:
Clowns talking.
Develop other seaports and see lagos turn to empty state.
The fear of tinubu by bubu is the fear of wisdom

LMAO.
If by empty you meant flat..headed gala-hawking osu miscreants would return to their gully ravaged enclave, then that's a welcome development

There are enough ports in Delta State with good road network.

Basic truth

resurgent2019:
I hope igbos are listening? We are not against ports opening in other parts of Nigeria ooo—especially the East. Yorubas are not that hateful towards igbos.

We want the best for igbos. I hope this lays the matter of Yorubas hindering against development of Eastern ports to rest. We don’t want to hear such baseless accusations from igbos again.

Let me add to this, some people think Lagos state benefits from tax collected by the oil marketers, exporters and importers of non oil products not knowing all levies go to FG's pocket.

Whether 120 ports are open in another state, tax generated will still head to abuja. Sometimes when I see people who claim to have high degree of intellect saying Lagos state don't want other states to experience what they are enjoying especially in this aspect, I shake my head in pity.

Open Ibaka and Ibeno seaports but FG still dey play politics with Saraki

Let Lagos keep holding everything and in the near future it will turn to an eyesore. I wonder how people there even manage to survive.

Not bad actually... I must commend this

That is the perfect way to go.
It will be the best for EVERYONE

Redoil:
Clowns talking.
Develop other seaports and see lagos turn to empty state.
The fear of tinubu by bubu is the fear of wisdom

There are Seaports in other states na. I'm talking about proper states not landlocked muddy villages.

True. Lagos having the only functional seaport isn't good for anyone...

Redoil:
Clowns talking.
Develop other seaports and see lagos turn to empty state.
The fear of tinubu by bubu is the fear of wisdom

Shut up. PMB has already concessioned the Onitsha port out and construction would soon commence.

The Boro Port in Niger has also been completed and would be commissioned in August

The best solution is building refineries and standardising the existing ones. The fact that every drop of fuel in the country, used or yet to be, passed through Apapa is madness!

That man wei him ear don block go hear word...

Una don tire for nepotism

We no gree o, we must use only lagos port. Lagos must be greater than Newyork

Sprumbabafather:


We also love you back but the ports should stay in Lagos, you must choke on your greed

What greed?

There is actually a Seaport in the south east.

Sprumbabafather:
Let me sharpen my cutlass and wait for any sick man that will try to open another port anywhere in the south apart from Lagos.

All the ports must remain in Lagos till 2099. You think you can be wicked? Let's see who will suffer pass.

Ndi nko.

Actually, you have no say cos your worthless region is landlocked and has no water body to support a Seaport.
It is the South South who already have Seaports that should be aggrieved but they don't play politics of foolishness like you people.

EternalTruths:
Open Ibaka and Ibeno seaports but FG still dey play politics with Saraki

All seaports are already being worked on.

Onitsha has been concessioned and Boro Port has been completed and would be commissioned in August

Redoil:
Clowns talking.
Develop other seaports and see lagos turn to empty state.
The fear of tinubu by bubu is the fear of wisdom

Stop posting rubbish.

Ambode is working


PS: I design blogs/websites for good SEO ranking

OsuEbonyi:

LMAO.
If by empty you meant flat..headed gala hawking miscreants would return to their gully ravaged enclave, then that's a welcome development

i heard the whiskers faced women used the same poe they allow their children to shit in, to eat with.