Following the devastating gas truck explosion at Otedola Bridge on Tuesday night, the Lagos State government has vowed to enforce a strict “no truck” policy to prevent similar tragedies.
The state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, made this announcement on Thursday after leading a team from the ministry to assess the accident site.
Truck Violated Lagos Law – Commissioner
Osiyemi emphasized that the truck involved in the incident had disregarded a clear “no truck allowed” sign at the bridge.
He stated that stricter enforcement measures, including physical barriers, would be implemented to stop trucks from using restricted routes.
“We visited the scene to assess the situation firsthand. There is a road sign that clearly prohibits trucks, yet this accident happened. This shows a violation of Lagos State law,” he said.
Poor Truck Maintenance a Major Concern
The commissioner attributed the rising number of truck-related accidents to poor vehicle maintenance. He stressed that many truck owners fail to conduct proper inspections, leading to mechanical failures on Lagos roads.
To tackle this issue, Osiyemi revealed that the state government is working closely with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to inspect and certify trucks before they hit the road.
“There’s ongoing collaboration to inspect trucks and ensure they are roadworthy. Those that fail inspections will be confiscated,” he added.
Concerns Over Bridge Safety
During the inspection, Osiyemi also raised concerns about visible cracks on the Otedola Bridge and surrounding drainage systems.
He assured residents that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Works, would conduct an integrity test on the bridge before the end of the week.
“As the rainy season approaches, we have escalated the drainage concerns to the Ministry of Environment. Ensuring road safety is our priority,” he said.
Lagos State Moves to Prevent Future Incidents
With the new measures in place, Lagos authorities are determined to prevent similar disasters. Residents and road users are urged to comply with traffic laws and report violations.
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