· Govt Takes Tougher Measures To Stop Truck Accidents In State
Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, has directed that the driver of the container-laden truck that fell on a commercial bus at Ojuelegba and the owner, in police custody, must be prosecuted.
SanwoOlu gave the order in a statement meant by the State Government to commiserate with the families of those, who lost their lives in the Ojuelegba truck accident on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
In the statement signed by the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the Governor prayed the Almighty to console them and grant them the strength to go through this difficult time.
SanwoOlu also noted that the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, should as a matter of urgency meet to find a lasting solution to the menace of falling trucks.
He equally directed that all laws governing the operations of trucks and related vehicles must henceforth be enforced with more vigour and diligence
The Governor, who had just received an interim report on the incident, also called on the police to speed up their investigation of the matter.
According to the governor, “The incident of 29th January, 2023, is one too many and it shows the irresponsibility of owners and drivers of such articulated vehicles, who under the law should care for other road users.
“The Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for large containers that fall off trucks and injure or kill citizens, who are going about their lawful businesses. The driver, Sodiq Okanlawon, and the owner, Wasiu Lekan, of a container which killed three (3) people on the 26th July, 2020, on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ilasamaja, were prosecuted and convicted on the 28th February, 2022, and sentenced to life imprisonment by Hon. Justice Okikiolu Ighile.
“The State Government will, in a similar manner, ensure that the driver and the owner of the truck involved in the January 29th incident are put on trial for the needless death of our dear citizens.
“This, we hope, will send a strong message to all those who have no regard for other people’s lives that Lagos will not condone their recklessness. They must be stopped, with the strong backing of our laws, because their actions offend our avowed commitment to safety and decency.”
Nine persons died in the accident. Some identified victims include:
i. Miss Blessing Isioma “F”
ii. Abdurahman Okoya Sunday “M”
iii. Felix John Ifeanyi “M” 40years
iv. Olatokunbo Basirat King “F’ 49years.