Task Force Inaugurated For Safe Haulage System In Nigeria

The Joint National Transport Safety Committee has inaugurated a new Task Force to ensure the safety of road haulage systems across the country.

National Chairman of the committee, Mr Taiwo Mogbojuri, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Monday.

Mogbojuri said that the taskforce would proffer solutions to the frequent cargoes, general haulage and petro-gas truck accidents on Nigerian roads.

The theme for this year’s general meeting was ‘‘Implementation of Safe Trucks Transportation System in Nigeria”.

Mogbojuri said that the stakeholders meeting was held to ensure safety of cargoes, freight and petroleum products on road transportation system.

According to him, the forum will ensure effective collaboration with all stakeholders toward saving cargoes, general haulage and to also proffer solutions to frequent truck accidents.

Mogbojuri applauded Dr Odutola Tajudeen Kasali, Chairman Advisory Board of the Committee, for his commitment and support towards promoting trucks operational safety compliance in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

“We are pleased to inform you of the appointment of Comrade Moruf Ayobami a.k.a Sanwo Ayaluu as the Chairman of Taskforce Operation Lagos State and Free Trade Zones Corridor, Ibeju Lekki Lagos.

“The stakeholders meeting became necessary to discuss issues on how to mitigate incessant heavy duties trucks accidents on Nigerian roads and the implications to the economy.

“Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed incidents, featured trucks tumbling over and spilling their contents. Lives have been lost, limbs broken and vehicles, roads and adjacent property damaged.

“We recall the tragic incident that occurred on Otedola Bridge on June 28, 2018; at this incident, 12 lives were lost, many people were injured and at least 55 vehicles were lost to the inferno.

“The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency revealed that in 2022, out of the 1,259 emergency calls it received concerning vehicle disasters, 368 incidents involved truck/tanker accidents, 536 other vehicle accidents.

“A total of 46 trailer accidents between January 2021 and October 3, 2023, 81 persons died in tanker explosions and fire,” Mognojuri said.

He said that the committee would use the platform of the general meeting to interact with stakeholders, especially to discuss and proffer solutions to major operational challenges facing the industry and the nation at large.

“We wish to assure you that the committee is ready to work with all stakeholders to drive and enhance good business practices and safety culture in the downstream sector and the petroleum Industry as a whole.

“The forthcoming general meeting and inauguration ceremony have been planned to sharpen our regulatory initiatives to ensuring better safety, especially in the road haulage system across Nigeria,” he added.

Mogbojuri said that the Committee on Inter-governmental partnership cuts across the relevant Federal and State Government Agencies which include; Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Police Force, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Works, Nigeria, Shippers Council and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Others tripartite partners includes, Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria, Lagos Association of Maritime Contractors, Petro-gas Servicing Operators and Water Transporters, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association and Lekki FTZ Unified Transport, Trucks and Trailers Hub.

Mogbojuri said major stakeholder units expected to participate in the proposed meeting includes executives of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Port Authority, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources , Federal and State Fire Services Lagos and National Emergency Management Agency, Others are Shipping Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), Independent Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), Association of Maritime Trucks Owners, The Container Truck Owners Association of Nigeria, Allied Truck Transport Association of Nigeria and Association of Nigeria Custom License Agents.

“We wish to assure you that the Committee is ready to work with all stakeholders to drive and enhance good business practices and safety culture in the downstream sector and the Petroleum Industry as a whole.

“The forthcoming general meeting and Inauguration Ceremony has been planned to sharpen our regulatory initiatives to ensuring better safety especially in the road haulage system across Nigeria,” he stated.