Lagos- The Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Chief Kunle Folarin, has decried dearth of holding bays for trucks due to the existence of commercial and residential structures near the port corridors.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there was need for three or four truck terminals and holding bays at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to manage the present cargo flow.
Folarin said that the ports required more holding bays and truck terminals to ease traffic jam caused when the trucks take over the roads.
“Take Apapa Port, not up to even 100 metres from the port, there are commercial buildings, almost even at the gate of the port. The same thing you are talking of holding bay.
“What are the basic elements in a holding bay? Access to the port corridor, that is the first one.
“If you now are talking of specific, 500 metres from Tin Can Port is full of residential houses. Where are you going to put the holding bay?
“Government, through its agencies is building a holding bay across the Tin Can Island port. But a holding bay is an effort. But probably you will need more.
“If you look at the cargo flow and the traffic flow, and the number of trucks that we need to service that cargo flow, you will now know that there is need to be three or four truck terminals and holding bays.”