Worried by incessant truck accident parti in Lagos and the nation’s highways, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has expressed zero tolerance for violations of the minimum safety standards by the truck owners and drivers.
To this end, NPA has announced that stringent penalties would be imposed on truck drivers and owners who fail to adhere to the required safety measures.
NPA said in a statement given to Persecondnews on Tuesday that it would henceforth partner with the Lagos State Government and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in maintaining and enforcing the safety standards.
It expressed deep sadness and condolences about the Ojuelegba truck mishap which occurred on Sunday, January 29, killing 9 persons when a container fell on a commercial bus.
“The Nigerian Port Authority deeply regrets and wishes to commiserate with the families of the nine(9) persons who were trampled to death on Sunday, January 29, 2023 when a container fell on the commuter bus at Ojuelegba, Surulere.
“May the Almighty God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“This very sad incidence further justifies the need for the full enforcement of the Minimum Safety Standards (MSS) for trucks, which the Nigerian Port Authority has articulated enforcing, albeit with stiff resistance from some truck owners.
“The Authority is poised more than ever before, in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Federal Road Safety Corps, to fully enforce these Minimum Safety Standards for trucks and impose stiffer penalties on truck drivers and owners to forestall a reoccurrence and serve as deterrence to those who operate in breach.
“As a result of the foregoing and to avoid the reoccurrence of these tragic incidents and truck breakdowns on the highway, the Authority will convene a broad stakeholder engagement with truck owners, terminal operators, and off-dock workers at various locations to streamline the activities of these trucks and reterate Zero Tolerance for violations of the Minimum Safety Standards,” the statement said.
The NPA disclosed that investigation is ongoing to track and bring to book those responsible for the grief brought upon the families of the nine people who lost their lives on Sunday.
“There is, however, an ongoing investigation to track the container loading port and terminal to establish a failure to adhere to best practices in articulated vehicle management.
“ The Authority assures the general public that whoever is responsible for this breach of procedure will face the hardest sanctions.”
“in order to protect against the loss of lives and properties due to these avoidable accidents, the Authority will fully enforce the Minimum Safety Standards for trucks in all the ports, particularly in Lagos, where these needless accidents are becoming commonplace,” the management statement reads.
A traffic accident was recorded on Sunday in Lagos as a container-laden articulated vehicle fell on a commercial bus at Ojuelegba on Ikorodu road, killing nine passengers.
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday obtained by Persecondnews.
“Upon arrival at the scene, a truck conveying a 20ft container was found to have landed on top of a commercial bus.
“Investigation revealed that the bus was picking up passengers when the truck lost control and fell over the side of the bridge.
“A total of nine fatalities were recovered, comprising four adult males, three adult females, a girl, and a boy.”
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