The Senate and the Lagos State Government have emphasized the importance of joint efforts to resolve the persistent traffic congestion in Apapa and its surroundings, along with a focus on advancing the blue economy in Nigeria.
This call came during a courtesy visit by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House in Marina.
Leading the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to Lagos, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, the Chairman of the Committee and former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, underscored Lagos’ significance in the blue economy, with 70 percent of sector activities occurring in the state.
He highlighted key challenges, such as non-state actors, illegal collectors, and ocean surges, that must be addressed for the growth of the blue economy.
Senator Eshinlokun-Sanni urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to fulfill his promise to complete the automated trailer call log system, known as the Call-Up System, to alleviate port access traffic issues.
Additionally, he called on the governor to address ocean surge problems in coastal communities in the Lekki-Ajah corridor.
In response to the Senate Committee’s requests, Governor Sanwo-Olu recognized the significance of Lagos in providing a home to the majority of maritime agencies under the committee’s purview.
He pledged support for the committee’s work and appealed to the federal government to assist the state in establishing additional trailer parks to complement the state’s efforts in mitigating the Apapa gridlock.
The governor stressed the importance of reducing business bottlenecks to facilitate economic growth and increase government revenue in Lagos State, particularly in the blue economy sector.
He urged the committee to provide recommendations and suggestions to the National Assembly on advancing the country’s blue economy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the immediate attention given by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to bridges leading to various ports in Lagos and called for collaborative efforts to streamline business operations.
The Senate Committee continued its oversight visits to maritime agencies in Lagos, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and the Shippers’ Council in the state.