By GODFREY BIVBERE

Stakeholders in the maritime industry have called on the Federal Government to change the contractors handling the construction of the highway leading to the ports.

This call came following failed portions of the road resulting in heavy traffic on the route.

The stakeholders noted that the two contractors, Julius Berger and Boroni Prono Nigeria Limited, are very slow and are contributing to the traffic situation on the route.

Chairman of the Presidential Monitoring Taskforce of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Dom Obi, said none of the two contractors are performing but however noted that Julius Berger is a bit better than Boroni Prono.

Obi said while Julius Berger is slow in its reconstruction of the Sun Rise to Mile2 end of the road, Boroni Prono’s presence at the Trinity to 2nd gate Tin-can Island end is no longer being felt. He said unless government took urgent steps to address the situation, the reconstruction work “will not be ready till the next generation. I do not see anything coming out of the contract.”

Honorary Secretary of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Engr. Alex Peters also spoke to Vanguard saying that the two companies are too slow and they are part of the problem of the road.

Peters noted that the right thing for them to do should have been provision of alternative routes to ease the traffic congestion. He also pointed out that working at night like Julius Berger used to do would have helped a great deal in curbing the traffic congestion.

Similarly, new Deputy National President of the National Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, Uchu Block, said that there is no difference between the two companies but noted that the Julius Berger is slightly better.

Block pointed out that Boroni Prono has left the site resulting in the big pot-holes at the Cocoa-nut, Tin-can first gate and Trinity bus stops respectively. He explained that even before the company’s workers disappeared from site, they were not very regular and even when they were around, they close before workers start leaving their officers.

According to him, “Both companies should be working at night. Julius Berger used to do it but they no longer do so. That Boroni people get to site later and close early, they are no longer on ground for the contract.

Public Relations Officer of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Femi Williams, blamed the bad roads for the traffic situation in Apapa. William called on all stakeholders to work together to finding lasting solution to the traffic congestion in Apapa.