The Lagos state government has started evacuating articulated vehicles parked along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.Olawale Musa, the general manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said the step is a bid to ensure safety and a free flow of traffic on the route.

Musa said the government began clearing the tankers off Apapa-Mile 2 axis on Wednesday.

According to him, no responsible government would fold its arms and allow lawlessness and impunity to reign.

He added that the administration of Akinwunmi Ambode, the state governor, is up to its responsibilities and would not shy away from attending to the plight of the people.

He said a special task force comprising the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian navy, police, civil defence and LASTMA had been given the duty to rid the road of the tankers.

“This made them park on the main carriageways for days and in the process impeding the free flow of traffic,” Musa said.

“This was largely due to the fact that shipping companies that were supposed to provide holding bays for the empty containers in accordance with the license issued for them to operate in the country have either refused to provide or the ones existing were inadequate.

“The stakeholders have therefore resorted that henceforth, these vehicles are to use the following holding bays and terminals which includes, Comet Terminal, Joatelim, Ballore Transport and Logistics, HBX Terminal, Unity Bonded Terminal, Falcon Terminal, Port and Marine services and Duncan Terminal for their activities.”

He also said all the trucks currently loading at the port would be issued a docket, indicating where they should return their empty containers instead of waiting on the roads to return them.