20 February 2012, Sweetcrude, LAGOS – The Lagos State government has given tanker drivers 72 hours to remove their vehicles from the ever-busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.
The order is coming on the heels of the petrol tanker fire midnight on Friday, which killed three people. About 39 vehicles were also burnt in the inferno.
Giving the deadline after an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the accident at the interstate park, near the Mile 2 Bridge, Kayode Opeifa, Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa, and his Special Duties counterpart, Dr. Wale Ahmed, blamed the incident on the carelessness of the driver.
Opeifa said the situation could have been worse, but for the quick response of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Fire Service, the police and other security agencies.
The commissioner, who cited the report of the investigation carried out, said the driver of the truck, who has not been found, ignored all entreaties to stop after one of the rear wheels plunged into a ditch, before it subsequently went up in flames.
“It’s a sign of carelessness by the driver. We even found three other fake number plates in the tanker and we also found out that he did not register as a member of any tanker drivers’ union,” Opeifa said.
He continued: “Why it took us a bit late to evacuate the burnt vehicles was because we wanted to explore all safety measures because PMS was still left in the tanker. So, we had to get rid of it first to adequately ensure safety of lives and property.
“We hereby, warn all tanker drivers who are parking along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway to vacate and relocate into their various tank farms within 72 hours or face severe sanctions.
“We will assist them in removing those vehicles if they so desire. We have also communicated this to the union leaders.”
According to the commissioner, the state government would not ignore safety standards in its determination to protect the lives and property of residents, especially when the state is upgrading two major roads on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
He announced that the state government has decided to take over Mile 2 loops for beautification and landscaping, stressing that the government will not reverse its decision to relocate the interstate park.
