The Lagos State Government is planning the implementation of logistic routes for trucks and articulated vehicles as specified in the state’s transport master plan
The government explained that the development was necessary in order to
prevent consistent road hazards caused by trucks and articulated vehicles onthe highways, especially the recent ones, which resulted in loss of lives and property in the state.
Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, the Commissioner for
Transportation, in a statement said the government planned the idea during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held with the owners and drivers of truck and articulated vehicles.
He explained that in order to curb incessant truck accidents within the state, the stakeholders’ were gathered periodically to
chart robust strategies that would further checkmate unceasing truck accidents,
saying safety and security of Lagosians remained paramount to the state
government.
He added that that a combination of different policies,which include erecting truck barriers, compliance with minimum safety standards
as well as restricting movement of articulated vehicles to designated routes would
go a long way in curbing persistent truck accidents in the state.
Speaking Also, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation added that the government was considering implementing use of designated routes for articulated vehicles as one of the strategies to checkmate the operations and activities of trucks plying the state roads.
He emphasized that the government did not want to take unilateral decisions hence, it called for the stakeholders’ engagement meeting to dialogue with relevant unions before taking necessary steps.
The ministry was reviewing the
Minimum Safety Standard Procedure for trucks and articulated vehicles being
implemented by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) with a view to modifying it,by including the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and Federal Road Safety Corps
(FRSC) Officials in the inspection process.
He also expressed government’s willingness to collaborate with relevant truck operators to ensure that drivers manning the steering of trucks were well-trained and only qualified drivers are allowed to drive the trucks/articulated vehicles within the state.
Mr. Adeyinka Aroyewun, the Representative of Council of Maritime Transport Union and Association, (COMTUA) further called for genuineness and clarity of purpose by both parties,which would help in achieving the desired results.’