TOLLGATE EXPLOSION: Always Observe Minimum Safety Standard, FRSC, TRACE urge Tanker Drivers
3 min read
*Two die, Three injured in the explosion
The Lagos and Ogun State Zonal Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) ACM Peter Kibo has stressed the need for tanker owners and drivers to always observed minimum road safety standard while behind the wheel.
He said every tanker owners are expected to installed safety valves in their vehicles to prevent spilling of their contents on road should any crash occurred.
ACM Kibo disclosed this in a reaction to a tanker explosion in the early hour of today – Thursday, September 6, killing two people while millions worth of naira properties damaged.
Three other transporters – drivers and tricycle operators were burnt beyond recognition in the ugly incident.
It was gathered that the unforgettable incident occurred around 1:30am when the tanker driving against traffic with utmost speed from Lagos lost control, fell and splited it’s content while ascending Ilo-Awela Road in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
ACM Kibo said the incident is avoidable if the normal road traffic law was put in place.
He explained that a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was ascending from Ilo-Awela from Tollgate area, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, lost control due to mechanical faulty, fell in the process, and went into flame.
He said a total of 12 vehicles, comprising of three luxurious buses, four tricycles, three motorcycles and a faragon bus, were involved in the unfortunately incident.
According to the ACM, the corpses of the victims had been deposited at the state Hospital in Ota, while the survivors comprising of two males and a female are also receiving treatment at the same hospital.
He, also advised tanker owners to install safety valves and ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before putting them on the road to avert unnecessary mishaps.
The Ogun State Commander and Chief Executive Officer of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Abdulfatai Olaseni Ogunyemi, commiserated with the familes of those who lost their lives and properties on the unfortunate incident.
He urged the road users to always take cognisance of road safety rules while making use of the road, saying this is the only way to prevent this unnecessary mishaps.
He said the agency will not tolerate any indiscipline from motorists, okada riders and tricyclists during this ’ember months’ and beyond, adding that whoever caught violating the traffic rules would be prosecuted in accordance with the traffic law.
Speaking at the scene, Chairman, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Hon Sheriff Musa, said he has issued a ban to road side trading at tollgate and its environs with immediate effect.
“We have a very catastrophic situation on our hands, but we bless God that it is not more than this because of the time it occurred which is late hour, that majority of the people engaged in different activities here at the tollgate are away from the location with less vehicular activities.
“From the report I heard, the crash was caused by over-speeding on the part of the driver who was coming from Lagos inbound Ota, using speed to negotiate the bend into Ilo-Awela which is a steeping road. As a government, we will continue our advocacy to drivers to adhere strictly to every road safety regulations. I have also issued a ban to road side trading here at the tollgate which shall be enforced going forward.”
Police and other sister agencies have, since been on ground managing the situation to ensure free flow of traffic.
