Following the devastating gas truck explosion on Tuesday night at Otedola Bridge, the Lagos State government has announced a tougher crackdown on heavy-duty vehicles violating road restrictions.
Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, made this known after inspecting the accident site, emphasizing that the gas truck had ignored a “no truck allowed” sign. He vowed that the state would take stronger measures, including installing barriers, to prevent such violations in the future.
“We’ve assessed the situation and confirmed that the truck clearly violated Lagos State law,” Osiyemi said. “To prevent such incidents, we will enforce stricter measures, including barriers to block trucks from using this route.”
The commissioner also linked the frequent truck-related accidents in Lagos to poor maintenance, warning that unroadworthy trucks will be seized. He revealed that the government, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), will intensify inspections and crackdowns.
“There is an ongoing collaboration to inspect trucks and ensure they are roadworthy. Those that fail the checks will be confiscated,” he added.
Beyond enforcement, the state government is also addressing structural concerns. Noting visible cracks on Otedola Bridge and its drainage system, Osiyemi assured that the Ministry of Environment would intervene swiftly, especially with the rainy season approaching.
“We have reported the cracks to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and are in contact with the Federal Ministry of Works. An integrity test on the bridge will be conducted before the week’s end to ensure it remains safe for motorists,” he said.
With Lagos intensifying its efforts to tackle road safety concerns, truck operators now face a stricter regime aimed at preventing another disaster like the Otedola Bridge inferno.
