Government vows to prosecute reckless truck drivers

Following the truck accident in Ojuelegba which claimed nine lives, the Lagos State Government has vowed to prosecute reckless truck drivers who are complicit in accidents to the full extent of the law.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, made the promise in a statement on Wednesday.

Toriola added that the move became necessary because of other truck accidents in Ikotun which claimed the lives of innocent citizens and left scores of people injured, and also at Abule-Egba road, and Odoyalaro (Maryland) Bridge.

He said, “The Lagos State government again condemned in strong terms the incessant truck accidents happening within the state and has warned owners and drivers of articulated vehicles against recklessness, saying any driver or owner found to be complicit in any truck accident will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the state Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.

“Investigation reveals that the accidents happen most times, due to negligence and recklessness on the part of the drivers, the state government has resolved not to tolerate unabated truck accidents caused by large containers falling off trucks that injure or kill citizens who are going about their daily activities.

“Having carried out a critical forensic investigation on the causes of these accidents, the state government has resolved to evoke the full wrath of the laws stipulated in its TSRL, 2018, on the liability of owners for safety.

“The law clearly stated that a person who drives a commercial vehicle whose condition does not conform to the provisions of the law commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty stated in Section 18 (2).”

The PS also called for support from all relevant stakeholders to enforce the law, erase needless deaths and ensure the safety of lives and property.