Extortion on Apapa corridor has come to stay, says Sanwo-Olu’s aide

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Gov Sanwo-Olu

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By Efe Onodjae

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The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Transportation Logistics to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Hassan Adekoya, has said that extortion along the Apapa port corridor may be difficult to completely eradicate despite efforts by government and stakeholders to restore order in the area.

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Adekoya made the remark during an interview on Arise Television, as monitored by Vanguard, while evaluating measures introduced to improve traffic flow and boost business activities around the Lagos ports.

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According to him, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), working with the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders, achieved significant success in addressing challenges along the corridor.

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He said the initiative received strong support from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, led by Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, as well as other government officials involved in the exercise.

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“For the intervention of PEBEC in Lagos Port, it was a beautiful initiative. They were able to achieve a lot with the support of the Lagos State Government. We were fully involved,” he said.

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Adekoya, however, noted that despite the dismantling of several illegal structures and bottlenecks, extortion activities resurfaced shortly afterwards.

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“After the dismantling, we all saw that the extortionists were back. Princess Zahra did a beautiful job by leading the Renewed Hope Initiative to ensure safety and sanity along the corridor. We have gained a lot in terms of business activities on this route,” he stated.

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He added: “But I will tell you for free today, the extortion on that corridor cannot stop. It has come to stay.”

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The governor’s aide maintained that while extortion remains a challenge, the Lagos State Government has largely fulfilled its promise to eliminate the notorious Apapa traffic gridlock.

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He said motorists can now travel from Apapa to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in less than 20 minutes and from Apapa to Victoria Island within a similar timeframe.

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“For the dismantling of the bottlenecks, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised during its campaign that it would end the Apapa gridlock. Today, I can tell you that the gridlock is no more,” he said.

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