- condons off vehicular movement around gas leakage truck at Alaka
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority led by Akinde Olusola, on Saturday, September 2, averted a fire disaster around the Stadium Bridge inward the Ojuelegba area of the state.
A press statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, quoted the LASTMA officer, Akinde Olusola, Zone 3, Iponri area of Surulere, to have confirmed that a gas-laden truck with registration number KRD 281 XL, hit the newly erected barrier at Alaka inward Stadium.
It stated that Zebra Olusola confirmed further that in an attempt for the gas truck to force itself under the newly erected barrier, its content (gas) spilled on the main carriage by the Alaka inward Stadium bridge.
According to him, “Immediately the incident occurred, LASTMA officials quickly invited other emergency responders, particularly the Lagos State Fire Service, and condoned off the main carriageway at Alaka by Stadium bridge for motorists to avert any fire.
“While the driver of the truck was arrested and handed over to policemen from Area ‘C’ Divisional Police Station, vehicular movement was diverted to the service lane from Alaka to continue their movement inward Ojuelegba by LASTMA officials.”
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, was quoted as saying that the newly erected barrier at the Stadium bridge was to divert heavy trucks to the service lane from Alaka inward Stadium down to Ojuelegba.
Oreagba however enjoined heavy truck drivers to always make use of the service lane whenever they are embarking on any journey around Stadium to Ojuelegba area of Lagos.
However, there have been several reports of accidents along the Ojuelegba area of the state.
On January 29, 2023, a container-laden truck fell off the Ojuelegba bridge. The container then fell on a commercial bus.
Eight passengers were reportedly dead while LASTMA was able to rescue only one person.
According to an eyewitness, “The truck driver wanted to block the bus from overtaking him.”
The Lagos State Government banned truck drivers from using the Dorman Long and Ojuelegba bridges and also directed LASTMA to apprehend erring drivers.
The directive was contained in a letter dated February 6, 2023, issued by the Special Adviser on Transportation to the Governor, Sola Giwa, and was addressed to the LASTMA General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba.
On Friday, March 10, a 40ft container fell off a trailer on the Ojuelegba bridge inward Stadium, while two other similar incidents were reported in the Ikeja and Mile 12 areas of the state.
On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, LASTMA said it had formed a task force with men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, in order to address the incessant truck crashes on Ojuelegba Bridge and other road accidents in the state.
Oreagba said, “Sequel to the need to prevent further loss of lives and properties through truck crashes on Ojuelegba bridge, LASTMA had deployed trained officers to redirect heavy-duty trucks/tankers from Ojuelegba bridge at Ikorodu road.”
