The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, commemorated with the families of those who lost their lives in the Ojuelegba truck accident and ordered the trial of the driver and owner of the articulated vehicle.
Recall that an unlatched articulated truck carrying a 20ft container fell on a commercial bus in the Ojuelegba area of Lagos on Sunday, January 29 and crushed crushing many passengers to death.
It was learnt that the commercial bus was picking up passengers at the bus stop along the Ojuelegba Bridge when the vehicle lost control and fell over the side of the bridge
Receiving interim report of the accident, Sanwo-Olu directed the police to speed up their investigation of the matter.
In a statement signed by the commissioner for information and strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the governor identified the victims as Miss Blessing Isioma, Mr. Abdurahman Okoya Sunday, 40 years; Mr. Felix John Ifeanyi and Ms Olatokunbo Basirat King, 49years.
The governor stated that the January 29 “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.”
“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.
“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,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recommended the construction of barricades on the Ojuelegba Bridge to restrict the movement of articulated vehicles.
The agency said the barricades would serve as a permanent solution to the reoccurring crashes.
