Sanwo-Olu directs trial of truck owner, driver

•Govt takes measures to stop truck accidents

Etim Ekpimah

The Lagos State Government has commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones in the truck accident that occurred in the Ojuelegba area of the state on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, on behalf of the state government wished that the Almighty console them and grant them the strength to go through the sad memories.

Omotoso, however, confirmed that nine persons died in the accident.

He identified victims as Miss Blessing Isioma, “f”; Abdurahman Okoya Sunday, “m”; Felix John Ifeanyi, “m”, 40 years; Olatokunbo Basirat King, “f’, 49 years.

He stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after receiving an interim report of the incident, directed the police to speed up their investigation of the matter.

Besides, he has given the following directives: “The driver of the truck and the owner, who are in police custody, must be prosecuted; the 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 incident of 29th January 2023 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.

“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.”