Helpless Lagos traders, seeks help as mechanics take over service lane, expressway

Lagos motorists and commuters are worried that mechanics have taken over the newly constructed service lane between Ilasamaja and Toyota Bus Stop along Apapa- Oshodi Expressway, because the illegal operators have turned the service lane into parking lots and workshops.

And what was thought to be temporary, has become a permanent feature in the area due to negligence on the part of authorities.

Whereas, Since the service lane was rehabilitated, motorists are having a busy time using it, that they have to struggle for space with trucks, vehicles and tricyclists, who parked indiscriminately without recourse to other road users.

 

Trucks also park at ilasa, five star and other places down to Toyota Bus stop, when challenged,threatens to block the whole road and some time, their activities caused gridlock that last for many hours.

The gridlock does not only affect vehicles and motorists going towards Toyota Bus Stop, road users trying to access offices along the route are affected too, sometimes being trapped on one spot for hours.

The situation is compounded by the spill over of commercial activities at the Toyota auto spare parts market to the service lane, where container-laden trucks are parked waiting for their contents to be offloaded right on the road.

Consequently, businesses have continued to suffer, while commuting has become a herculean task, with the trucks already destorying portions of the newly constructed road.

Some of the drivers told The Guardian that companies along the axis owned the trucks.

One of them, who gave his name simply as Marouf, said they always remain on the road till they are given passage to drive in and offload.

Another one, who spoke in confidence, said the situation would continue because no parking lots were provided for trucks.

But a motorist, Kayode Afis said, indiscriminate parking on the road would make nonsense of government’s efforts to put the road in good condition.

The Guardian had severally reported on activities of motor spare parts traders on the road as well as the food company that is notorious for parking trucks on the road, thus obstructing traffic.

When They also reached out to the President General, Ladipo Amalgamated Automobile Spare Parts Market Association, Jude Chikere Nwankwo, he promised to reach out when he returned from his trip.