The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) has called on state governments and other relevant government agencies to partner the institute so as to ensure articulated and other categories of vehicles are properly maintained so as to enhance safety of lives and properties.
This is coming against the backdrop of Sunday’s accident at Ojuelegba in Lagos where 8 lives were lost as a container laden truck fell o a commercial bus popularly known as Korope.
The national president of the institute Mr. Segun Obayendo who made this known in a statement signed and made available to LEADERSHIP, expressed readiness to work with state governments, relevant government agencies and transport unions to ensure these tragic occurrences of containers falling on vehicles are reduced through public enlightenment on the need to maintain trucks and other categories of vehicles at regular intervals.
He said,this has become necessary because between 2013 till date more than 10 accidents involving articulated vehicles have occurred leaving scores dead and many injured.
Obayendo also advised state governments and other relevant government agencies to beam more light on awful maintenance culture of motorists and other road users for improved safety of lives and properties.
Although Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) ascertains the condition of trucks before exit from the port, he posited that lack of enforcement measures has resulted in low compliance.
According to him, “the institute is ready to partner with transport associations so as to. Provide platform for sensitization on consequence s of leaving containers unlatched”.
The National president implored transport associations to set-up task force to reprimand or possibly finebdefaulters who fail to maintain their trucks.
