A licensed customs agent, Mr. Jude Maduka, on Thursday said the deplorable port access roads and other challenges around the Tin-Can Island Port had taken a toll on the business.

Maduka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the roads had remained bad in spite of efforts by committees set up to address the issue.

“It has been a recurring decimal for over 20 years now; the port access road has always been very bad.

“Various committees have been formed over the years to see if we can remedy this situation and over time we have been getting the same result.”

Maduka, who is also the Secretary, Customs Consultative Council, said that in addition to the bad roads, the truck drivers were undisciplined on the road.

“Even if these roads were good, most times you find out that a trailer can just stop in the middle of the road and cause a gridlock for the whole day.

“With this, business will collapse for that day, which is part of the problem.”

He called on the authorities concerned to regulate operations of the trucks and possibly rid the area of the rickety ones.

The agent also urged the government to consider the diversification of the ports to other locations like Badagry and Eleko where ships could anchor.

Maduka added that if the rails were constructed and the seaways maintained barges could pick up containers to various Inland Container Depots.

NAN reports that the access road on the Tin-can Island Port corridor is riddled with deep gullies on several spots.

The condition of the road makes it difficult for trucks carrying containers to move easily. (NAN)

•Photo shows Apapa/Oshodi Exp.