The management of Tin-Can Island Port has established a multi-agency task force to regulate truck movements in and out of the port, following persistent traffic congestion caused by indiscriminate parking along the port access road.
The intervention appears to have restored order around the immediate port gate, but the relief may be short-lived as truck drivers have reportedly shifted their parking activities towards Coconut Bridge, creating fresh traffic challenges for motorists and commuters.
According to report by HarboursandPort.com, It is gathered that the task force was constituted to tackle the recurring gridlock around the port entrance, where trucks parked indiscriminately along the expressway, obstructing traffic and making movement difficult for road users.
A source close to the port management disclosed that the task force comprises officials of the port’s security unit, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), representatives of trucking operators and a representative of the task force established by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
According to the source, the coordinated enforcement operation has significantly improved traffic management around the port gate, with the team ensuring that trucks no longer occupy the access road indiscriminately.
Confirming the development, Sola Adesanwo, Head of Corporate and Strategic Communication at Tin-Can Island Port, said the initiative was aimed at permanently addressing the persistent traffic congestion that had plagued the port access road.
Adesanwo indicated that the management had achieved its immediate objective, noting that the notorious gridlock around the port gate had been brought under control.
However, while the development has brought some relief to road users around the port entrance, the situation appears to have been displaced rather than completely resolved, with truck drivers now reportedly occupying sections of the road around Coconut Bridge.
Investigations revealed that some truck drivers operating without official call-up tickets have resorted to parking on the bridge, further compounding traffic difficulties along the busy corridor.
The trucks have reportedly taken over the only remaining lane available to motorists after occupying two lanes stretching from the port gate towards Coconut Bus Stop and, in some instances, beyond the area.
The development has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the traffic management exercise if enforcement is restricted to the immediate port gate without addressing congestion along the adjoining roads.
Motorists and commuters travelling through the corridor are particularly affected during peak traffic periods, with the situation becoming more challenging between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., when vehicular movement is often heavy.
Industry observers believe that sustaining the gains recorded at the port gate will require the task force to extend its enforcement activities to Coconut Bridge and the entire stretch leading to Coconut Bus Stop.
They argue that clearing the port entrance alone may not provide a lasting solution if trucks are allowed to relocate to adjoining roads and bridges, where they continue to obstruct traffic and create fresh bottlenecks.
The task force is therefore expected to broaden its operational coverage, ensure compliance with the approved truck call-up system and prevent unauthorised parking along the corridor.
Beyond improving traffic flow, sustained enforcement would also help protect road users, reduce avoidable delays and ensure that the port’s access routes remain functional for commercial and private vehicles.
For residents, commuters and businesses that depend on the Tin-Can Island Port corridor, the ultimate test of the intervention will be whether the improved traffic situation at the port gate can be extended to Coconut Bridge and other adjoining roads.
Until enforcement covers the entire affected stretch, the apparent success recorded at the port entrance may continue to be undermined by truck congestion further down the road.