Politics
Reps Want NPA To Create Modern Trailer Parks
The House of Representatives midweek urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to take advantage of the vacant land along the Lagos-Ikorodu road to create modern trailer parks.
It also urged the authority to ensure that only trailers scheduled for loading had access to the lighter terminal vicinity.
This followed a motion by Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) on the urgent need to rehabilitate Ebute-Ogolonto road that leads to Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and address the indiscriminate parking of trailers on the road.
Moving the motion, Benson, explained that the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal (IKLT) was constructed by the NPA to de-congest the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos State.
He expressed concern that the terminal, in recent times, had been witnessing movement of containers from the Apapa Port Complex by sea to the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal in barges.
Benson maintained that due to the continued growth in the terminal’s containerised and bulk cargo haulage businesses, there had been an increasing number of trailers plying the Ogolonto to Ebute route in Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
He further expressed concern that in the course of picking up their consignments, the trailers parked indiscriminately on the Ogolonto-Ebute road, thereby causing traffic congestion and damage to the road.
“This situation is worsening every day, bringing hardship to the people, in addition to the damages from the weight of those trailers on the said Ogolonto road.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.
The House also urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to give strict warning and subsequently penalise any trailer that parked indiscriminately on the Ogolonto-Ebute road.
It urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to immediately commence palliative works on the road to ensure that travel time was reduced.
It mandated its Committees on Nigeria Customs and Excise, Ports, Harbours and Waterways, Works, and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation. The House of Representatives midweek urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to take advantage of the vacant land along the Lagos-Ikorodu road to create modern trailer parks.
It also urged the authority to ensure that only trailers scheduled for loading had access to the lighter terminal vicinity.
This followed a motion by Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) on the urgent need to rehabilitate Ebute-Ogolonto road that leads to Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and address the indiscriminate parking of trailers on the road.
Moving the motion, Benson, explained that the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal (IKLT) was constructed by the NPA to de-congest the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos State.
He expressed concern that the terminal, in recent times, had been witnessing movement of containers from the Apapa Port Complex by sea to the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal in barges.
Benson maintained that due to the continued growth in the terminal’s containerised and bulk cargo haulage businesses, there had been an increasing number of trailers plying the Ogolonto to Ebute route in Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
He further expressed concern that in the course of picking up their consignments, the trailers parked indiscriminately on the Ogolonto-Ebute road, thereby causing traffic congestion and damage to the road.
“This situation is worsening every day, bringing hardship to the people, in addition to the damages from the weight of those trailers on the said Ogolonto road.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.
The House also urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to give strict warning and subsequently penalise any trailer that parked indiscriminately on the Ogolonto-Ebute road.
It urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to immediately commence palliative works on the road to ensure that travel time was reduced.
It mandated its Committees on Nigeria Customs and Excise, Ports, Harbours and Waterways, Works, and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.