From L-R: General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Bakare-Oki Olalekan; Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Olufemi Dare,
Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State; Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Musa Maroof Olawale at under Otedola bridge for inspection and pressing briefing.
Lagos State Government has announced plans to implement stricter safety regulations and infrastructure checks to curb recurring road disasters in the state.
Trade FM Correspondent, ABDULBAQI JIBREEL, who covered the press briefing held under the Otedola Bridge on Tuesday, October 20, reports that the bridge was engulfed by fire after a tanker conveying about 33,000 litres of diesel fell on Monday, October 19.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, attributed the incident involving a tanker conveying about 33,000 litres of diesel to driver negligence.
He noted that inspections revealed some surface burning and minor damage to the structural bearings, stressing that authorities are thoroughly assessing the situation and evaluating the overall integrity of the bridge, while reassuring the public that there is no cause for alarm.
“It hit a vehicle & while rolling back, it fell inside this place. We look at it, we have some level of surface burnt, some of the bearings, what we are going to do is to look at it & the integrity of the bridge, but we can tell that this is nothing to afraid of,” he stated.
According to the controller, brake failures and reckless driving have continued to cause accidents along the corridor, including Otedola Bridge.
“These people, they don’t check their brakes. They don’t check their brakes, they don’t check their vehicles, they don’t maintain their vehicles,” he said.
Speaking further, he pointed out that despite safety interventions such as guardrails and solar lights, many are routinely stolen or removed by unscrupulous individuals shortly after installation.
“You put guardrail, steel guardrail, it will not last one week here before they remove it. You put solar light, they cut them, they remove them.”
To curb recurring accidents, the Ministry of Transportation has announced plans to convene a stakeholders’ meeting in mid-November with transport unions, security operatives, key stakeholders including the Commissioners of Ogun and Lagos States, to discuss and address the issue.
The ministry also said it plans to reintroduce weighbridges to check overloaded vehicles, enforce sanctions against traffic offenders, and incorporate weighbridges into the design of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Also speaking at the press briefing, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, addressed the persistent challenges facing transport infrastructure in the state.
The Commissioner pointed out that while the fire was successfully contained, accidents along the corridor continue to cause significant surface damage, disruption, and safety concerns, attributing many of these incidents to reckless driving and a general lack of caution among heavy-duty drivers.
When asked about the individuals seen scooping up the spilled diesel and the potential impact on engines and machinery, Osiyemi emphasized that the product had already been mixed with water and other substances while firefighters were working to put out the blaze.
People scooping out the remaining diesel under the ground
He therefore noted that the upcoming stakeholders’ meeting aims to educate motorists on proper road usage, prevent the vandalism of infrastructure, and ensure safer roads for the public.
Also present at the press briefing were: the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Bakare-Oki Olalekan, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Musa Maroof Olawale (better known as Mr. Olawale Musa), security operatives including the Nigeria Police Force, among others.
BY ABDULBAQI JIBREEL AJAO
