… Govt takes measures to stop truck accidents
The Lagos state government has identified the driver of the ill-fated container truck that killed 9 persons in Ojuelegba area of the state on Sunday.
Nine persons died in the accident. They have since been evacuated by the state government.
The state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the government will ensure a thorough investigation of the case and prosecution of the driver and the truck owner until justice is served in the law court.
He said; “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after receiving an interim report of the incident, has directed the police to speed up their investigation of the matter. Besides, he has given the following directives:
“The driver of the truck and the owner, who are in police custody, must be prosecuted; Ministry of Transportation and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) should meet urgently to find a lasting solution to the menace of falling trucks; and all the laws governing the operations of trucks and related vehicles must be enforced with more vigour and diligence.”
Sanwo-Olu in a statement by the Commissioner for information and strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso on Monday commiserated with the victims’ families.
The governor described the incident as one too many and happens as a result of the irresponsibility on the part of the truck driver and owner.
“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 governor reiterated the government’s zero tolerance for large container trucks killing innocent citizens as he renewed his commitment to protect lives and property of the people.
“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 government cited a case of a truck driver and owner who were sentenced to a life imprisonment after the truck fell and killed people in 2020, Sanwo-Olu said, the government will ensure right judgement is also served in this case.
“The driver (Sodiq Okanlawon) and 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. QThe 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.”
Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the bereaved family and pray them to have the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“The Lagos State Government commiserates with the families who lost their loved ones in the Ojuelegba truck accident on Sunday, January 29, 2023. May The Almighty console them and grant them the strength to go through this difficult time.”
The government identified some of the victims as; Miss Blessing Isioma “F”, Abdurahman Okoya Sunday “M”, Felix John Ifeanyi “M” 40year, and Olatokunbo Basirat King “F’ 49years.
