Motorists lament as mechanics, keke takeover Toyota service lane

<p>Motorists plying the Apapa- Oshodi expressway have lamented the takeover of the Toyota-Ladipo section by mechanics and keke riders, thereby hindering free flow of vehicular and human traffic.</p>, <p>They are worried about government’s reluctance to wield the big stick against these mechanics, who have turned the service lane into parking lots and workshops, despite the presence of security operatives.</p>, <p>Apart from mechanics, tricycle operators and petty traders have also taken over part of the road. Despite occasional intervention by security operatives to dislodge them, the situation has remained chaotic.</p>, <p>It was learnt that the mechanics and some touts operating in the area also do brisk business by charging motorists N1, 000 before they could park along the road.</p>, <p>A motorist, Mojeed Ahmed, lamented that most of the people patronising the mechanics, park indiscriminately without considering other road users, thereby subjecting them to difficulties.</p>, <p>Another motorist, Ayomide Emmanuel, said the gridlock does not only affect vehicles and motorists heading towards Toyota bus stop, commuters trying to access offices along the route are also affected, as they are oftentimes, trapped on one spot for several hours.</p>, <p>The situation is worsened by commercial activities at the ever busy Toyota auto spare parts market, where container-laden trucks also compete with commuters for space to park while waiting for their contents to be offloaded.</p>, <p>Consequently, businesses have continued to suffer, while commuters groan. Some of the drivers, who also parked indiscriminately on the road, said companies along the axis owned their trucks.</p>, <p>One of them, who identified himself as Marouf, said they always remain on the road till they are given passage to drive in and offload.</p>, <p>Last year, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, also known as Task force, was in the area to restore sanity, but the mechanics, who are members of Ladipo auto spare parts trad