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We’ll no longer tolerate containers falling off on roads -Lagos State government

February 1, 2023 No Comments

The Lagos State government has condemned the incessant truck accidents within the state and warned owners and drivers of articulated vehicles against recklessness.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos that the state government had resolved not to tolerate unabated truck accidents caused by large containers falling off trucks which injure or kill residents going about their daily activities.

He said any driver or owner found to be an accomplice in any truck accident would be arrested and prosecuted.

He said this would be done in accordance with the State Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.

Mr Toriola said the warning became necessary following the recent truck accidents in the Ojuelegba and Ikotun areas, which claimed the lives of innocent citizens and left scores of people injured.

The permanent secretary said other truck accidents occurred on the Abule-Egba road and Odoyalaro (Maryland) Bridge, which fortunately were without casualties.

He said that the investigation revealed that the accidents mainly happened due to negligence and recklessness on the part of the drivers.

“Having carried out a critical forensic investigation on the causes of these accidents, the state government has resolved to evoke the full wrath of the laws stipulated in its Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018, on the liability of owners for safety.

“The law clearly states that a person who drives a commercial vehicle whose condition does not conform to the provisions of the law commits an offence.

“The person is liable on conviction to the penalty stated in Section 18 (2) and in situations where the driver of the vehicle is not the owner, the owner will also be liable in line with Section 18 (3).

“The enforcement strategies to check the operations and activities of articulated vehicles plying the state roads is sacrosanct and will be enforced.

“The state government, having registered its displeasure and position on the current situation, sought the cooperation of all relevant Stakeholders in the implementation of the enforcement to erase needless deaths, enhance movement without fear on our roads and the safety of lives and property,” Mr Toriola said.

He commiserated with families who lost their loved ones in the recent accidents, assuring them that justice would be served.

Lagos government has suspended all activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) with immediate effect.

The announcement was made hours after reports of members of the association engaging in violent clashes made headlines.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the decision is part of fulfillment of the state government’s cardinal objectives under the T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda.

He also confirmed that the decision was necessary after “some pockets of violence recorded in Ojo and Lagos Island” on Wednesday September 28. A 35-Man Caretaker Committee has been constituted to take over activities of the Union.

The Committee is headed by Hon. Sulaiman Adeshina Raji with Bamgbose Oluseyi as Deputy Chairman.

Other members of the Committee include; Sunday Aransiola, Sulaiman Onabanjo, Azeez Abdulrahman, Isiaka Seriki, Victor Ifemenam, Kareem Babatunde, Amusan Abdulrahman, Teslim Adeshina, Sulaiman Surajudeen, and Fatai Rauf. Others are; Sunday Banjo, Segun Omole, Thomas Akinkayode, Taiwo Lasisi, Gbenga Kashimawo, Samson Ajala, Taiwo Daodu, Sule Aliu, Ahmed Musa and Oladipupo Ibrahim, Adewale Adeniyi, Olatunji Durojaiye, Wasiu Olanrewaju, Taofeek Onileola, Yusuf Afolabi, Bode Ogungbade, Alh. A.A. Ussaini, Saliu Usman, Saheed Badru, Kolawole Yusuf, Kayode Thomas, Idowu Oyewole, and Salami Babatunde Ope are to also join them.

Giwa who reiterated that the suspension becomes necessary to prevent further acts of violence in the State, added that men of the Lagos State Police Command will be deployed across the State to enforce the suspension and ensure the safety of lives and properties.

He also revealed that he met with some representatives of the RTEAN on Wednesday following a protest by some members of the Union demanding the removal of their National President.

Giwa said the state government gave an assurance of a total investigation into the allegations leveled against the National President with a promise to resolve all lingering issues.