By Roland Ekama , Lagos
The heightened traffic situation along the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) has been averted on Wednesday, following timely intervention by Chapter members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria(RTEAN) and other government agencies deployed to the vicinity.
DAILYFOCUS NEWS ONLINE , gathered that the heightened gridlock inward KLT Phase 1and 2 affected the inflow returns of empty containers back to the facilities.
Our correspondent was told that at least fifty container laden trucks with export commodities were held up for about 48hours without access to the lighter terminals , a situation that triggered apprehension among operators .
But the combined groups at NAGAFF KLT Secretariat held a brief meeting to resolve and tackle the static 48 hours gridlock which in turn yielded positive result.
Speaking on the development, Executive Chairman KLT,Chapter of NAGAFF, Engineer Emmanuel Umeadi reiterated the association’s commitment to assist ,synergize and collaborate with government agencies and other sister associations in tackling the traffic menace.
Umeadi maintained that the freight forwarding association engaged the Nigerian Navy and officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA along with the truckers operating at KLT to tackle the gridlock.
According to him, the combined teams intervened to the traffic situation , noting that sanity has been restored to the place .
“Why we are here today is to let people understand that we have what it takes to manage the traffic situation in KLT.
” As you can see today on the road we have the NPA, Navy Police and Federal Road Safety Corps . Without these security agencies I don’t think we will be here and without us the stakeholders i don’t think they will be on ground as well.
The NAGAFF Chairman also appealed to shipping companies and terminal operators to comply with government directives and provide holding bays for containers adding that the multinationals are allegedly frustrating trade facilitation.
He also appealed to the security agencies to be humanly while dealing with the truck drivers.
Umeadi also called on exporters to ensure proper documentation of their consignments to avoid delay in the clearance processes and procedures.
He pointed out that security agencies are on the roads to check some of the documents which also contributed to reasons behind why some are static on the highway over improper documentation .
“If they have proper documents of their consignment I believe the customs are on ground to work because the Customs boss has empowered officers to work round the clock to promote trade.” Umeadi added.
The chairman further noted that the association would continue to assist the Presidential Task Team on Apapa to succeed on the mandate assigned to them by the federal government.
He commended the Comrade Kayode Opeifa team in tackling the menacing gridlock along Apapa and its environs saying that NAGAFF would continue to support in finding lasting solutions to the chaotic situation .
Similarly, Ifeanyi Ekwunife a chieftain of RTEAN who spoke on the development noted that all hands must be on deck to promote trade facilitation and the ease of doing business at the port.
Ekwunife added that the stagnancy of empty containers and exported goods inward the terminals, for two days would have triggered pandemonium within KLT but the timely intervention quelled the situation.
