•Deputy Govover(middle)
By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Ogun state deputy governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has visited the scene of an accident that occurred around Ogere axis of the Lagos/Ibadan expressway, praying that God will console victims' families.
Two persons were burnt to death and 13 vehicles, including trucks razed in the predawn explosion which occurred after a tanker carrying petroleum product collided with another truck at the proposed new Kara Market, Ogere-Remo, Ogun State corridir of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The explosion triggered an inferno which razed vehicles that got stucked on the road in an ensuing confusion and gridlock.
Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele who led a government delegation to the site on the spot assessment of the incident expressed sadness over the significant loss of property, saying the government is also sympathetic to the affected people.
The Deputy Governor said that that following the briefing by relevant agencies that responded to the emergency, there were two casualties from the inferno, which also caused serious traffic gridlock.
She noted that 13 vehicles were affected in the accident which happened when a tanker carrying fuel collided with another vehicle and burst into flames.
She commented the operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE ) for responding swiftly to the emergency, thereby helping to limit the tragic loss of lives.
In the meantime, the state government has directed the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Femi Onasanya, to be the incident commander to work and coordinate all agencies towards ensuring safety of lives and properties and speedy evacuation of trucks to ease movement.
The Governor, Dapo Abiodun, implored motorist to obey traffic and be understanding, promising that the state government will do it best to resolve the gridlock speedily.
Commenting on the accident, the Public Relations Officer of the (TRACE) Babatunde Akinbiyi, said trailer bearing petroleum product fell on road after colliding with another truck, explaining that the explosion affected seven other trucks and six other vehicles cars in the process.
Akinbiyi advised motorists to ply the alternative routes mapped out to ease travelling along the expressway.
"Vehicles moving inbound Lagos should go through Saapade-Ode-Remo-Iperu-Sagamu to relink Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. In addition, vehicles moving inbound Ibadan should also go through Sagamu-Iperu-Ode/Remo-Saapade to relink Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
"While any inconveniences is highly regretted, drivers are implored to please maintain lane discipline, so as not worsen the traffic situation", TRACE PRO stated.
Ogun Assembly Expresses Concern...
Also, worried by the rising spate of fatalities caused by articulated vehicles on roads within the corridors of Ogun State, the State House of Assembly has canvassed for the re-introduction of functional laws and regulations to curb the excesses of articulated vehicles drivers with a view to reducing road carnage in the State.
Speaker Kunle Oluomo, stated this while leading other lawmakers an on-the-spot-assessment visit to the accident scene.
Oluomo sought a legislation mfor the re-introduction of designated time at night for the articulated trucks to ply all categories of roads in the State, with effective monitoring of their activities by Federal and State owned road traffic and safety agencies.
He cautioned the drivers to desist from practices that could expose other road users to danger.
He also called for the implementation of more government infrastructure development in terms of road, trailer parks within the corridor and road signage to ensure a seemless operation within the restricted time especially, night time operations.
Commending the traffic and security formations for their immediate response to the accident, the Speaker noted that the 9th Assembly remained committed to partnering with necessary stakeholders towards ensuring safety of all road users.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ahmed Umar, intimated the lawmakers that six tankers, five trucks and two cars were destroyed in the explosion with fatalities recorded.
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