By Joyce Ekeh
The Federal Government has warned truck owners and drivers against indiscriminate parking along the newly constructed Lekki Coastal Road in Lagos, amid plans to enforce compliance through the possible removal and impoundment of offending vehicles.
The warning follows concerns by the Federal Ministry of Works over the prolonged parking of heavy-duty trucks along the road, which has increasingly been used as a waiting area by operators awaiting access to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
In response, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has directed trucking unions, truck owners, operators and drivers to stop parking or leaving their vehicles stationary along the affected stretch.
In a directive to its members, the association said it had received information that the Ministry of Works was considering enforcement measures against trucks parked indiscriminately on the road.
“This is to urgently inform, advise and direct all truck owners, operators and drivers to henceforth desist from parking or allowing their trucks to remain stationary along the newly constructed Coastal Road at Lekki, Lagos,” the directive stated.
AMATO warned that the proposed enforcement could involve the forceful removal and possible impoundment of trucks found violating the directive, urging operators to comply to avoid financial losses and disruption to their businesses.
“Furthermore, information reaching us suggests that the Ministry is considering enforcement measures, including the forceful removal and possible impoundment of trucks found parked along the affected stretch of the road,” it said.
The association specifically advised drivers awaiting access to the Lekki Deep Sea Port to use designated truck parks and authorised waiting areas until they receive their call-up or clearance to proceed to the port.
It said drivers who could not secure space in designated parks should move to other safe and legally permitted parking locations rather than resort to using the Coastal Road as a holding area.
“All truck drivers awaiting access to Lekki Deep Sea Port are strongly advised to use only designated truck parks and authorised waiting areas pending their call-up or access to the port,” the directive added.
AMATO stressed that a shortage of parking spaces would not excuse indiscriminate parking along the road, insisting that operators must make alternative arrangements.
“The inadequacy or unavailability of space in a designated truck park does not justify parking indiscriminately along the Coastal Road. Drivers must seek alternative lawful parking locations,” it stated.
The association warned that failure to comply could expose truck owners and drivers to confrontations with enforcement agencies, possible penalties, delays and avoidable financial losses.
It urged all operators to take the warning seriously and ensure that their activities did not turn the newly constructed road into a truck park or waiting point for port-bound vehicles.
